Doug, those little lights behind the rear quarter window were "opera lamps" as Cadillac called them and were a throwback to the thirties from which they were rescued by the surface detail department of GM design. The whole Cadillac line offered them and on some of the DeVilles they were extra, about $86.00 if I recall correctly. The added vinyl areas on the front and rear were what allowed the car to meet the five-mile an hour no damage requirement that the government instituted. The bumpers were on hydraulic cylinders and could compress but the bodywork had to flex so it would not be damaged. As you can see the paint discolors on the vinyl after a time. Great review. I still love the car and the convertible which was made up until 76 was also awesome. They had the great advantage of being able to have your girlfriend ride right next to you up close with no console or bucket seats to stop the fun. In fact, there was a whole protocol for how much a girl was interested based on where she sat when she got in the car. But that's another thing entirely.
About this girl thing I appreciate being from a 3rd world country. Cars of this era were a third of the size of this Cadillac with some having one entire seat at the front to cover the driver and front passanger. Only way to be distant from the driver was to pull your head off the car and enjoy the breeze. Actually if a girl said yes for a ride she was already into you...
As a Brit, I've always loved this era of cars made in the USA. They have a real presence and it's such a shame that they don't make them like this anymore.
Used to be lots right here in Manchester. We had a main Cadillac dealer on Deansgate, (Bauer and Millett). Still a few Escalades and Chev Suburbans to be seen on the Leafy Lanes of Cheshire. Very few (Running) , left around LA, but thousands in Sweden and Denmark.
@ Robert Croft Just returned back to Sunny Manchester after being in the States for 10 years. I noticed that the dealership is no longer there. When did they dissappear?
@@sma7530 Time flies, but it must be a few years ago. Wish I was in USA now ! I have travelled nearly every AMTRAK route . Going to San Antonio next for the trip to New Orleans. Also ridden every LA Metro line but for the new Slawson/Crenshaw station. Only places to see classic US cars on the road is Cuba and Sweden.
In those days, car still had style and elegance - or at least a good number of them. Nowadays, cars worldwide are just ugly and overpriced commodities. Buying a new car has become as exciting as replacing your old refrigerator.
@@h3llokimmi3 The case was dropped. In the US you are not a criminal unless you are CONVICTED in CRIMINAL COURT of a CRIME. IDK what happened (Obviously I wasn;t there)But ACCUSATION does not equal GUILT. I was once questioned about a crime I supposedly committed in Mississippi. I'm from Pennsylvania and have only ever been to New York, Ohio,Maryland and West Virginia!
@@h3llokimmi3 "Settled out of court" is a CIVIL action, not a CRIMINAL conviction. HUGE difference. He MAY have DONE it, or NOT Like I said I don't KNOW. A settlement does not equal guilt either. Many people and business will settle bogus claims in civil cases to just make the case go away. Large corporations even budget for this. But since there was no CONVICTION, he cannot be legally be called a rapist, In fact calling someone that, who has not been convicted opens you up for civil action yourself (If you had enough money to make it worthwhile for someone to sue you.).
@@neb4587 No, But the areas I have covered are larger than several entire countries in Europe. Perhaps I'll get to Delaware, New Jersey and Ontario this year.
James Slick someone is Settling out of Court with me as we type to each other now, And if she doesn’t pay me I hand the case over to the state and the prosecute her. She’s paying me and she’ll stay out of court.....But most importantly “She’s Guilty”.
Up to the 1980s, owning a Cadillac was a sign you _made it._ You were an Important Person. It didn't matter that these cars were slow or maneuvered like ocean liners, because other drivers got out of your way. This was a Cadillac, and you damn well better respect both it and its driver. My grandpa was one of the higher-ups at the local mill when they were going strong. He drove Cadillacs, and that's why I have a soft spot in my heart for this era of Caddies. He preferred the sedans like the Fleetwoods and deVilles.
One thing to point out about how huge cars like this went obsolete: in 1990 my grandfather bought a brand new Buick Roadmaster, right after it’d been revived and the thing was gigantic! It was longer than his brother’s Caddy at the time! The Roadmaster was a beast but very luxurious. I went with my grandparents on a trip from Rochester NY to Ft Myers FL to help them drive it down there and even tho it was 3 days of them bickering most of the time, that car was a smooth ride. It wasn’t at all like driving south for Spring Break in a car half the size, it was like a hotel on wheels.
The hood ornament wasnt designed like that due to theft, it was a safety feature for any pedestrian who may be unlucky to have been hit - the ornament would bend out of the way instead of slicing into the persons guts :-(
Well, coincidentally it also makes it extremely hard to remove. It took me lots of effort, twisting and turning the wire, while preventing it from rotating with a screw driver in order to remove. No, I didn't vandalize someones car lol, this was at a junk yard. I still have that hood ornament among other badges I got that day for my collection xD
LOL, It was for theft. So, you get hit by a 2.5 ton car, with a metal front bumper that's 6 feet wide...........and you're worried about the hood ornament???
For anyone wondering, the lights on the side of the vinyl roof are called "opera lights" or "coach lights". They're a symbol of luxury. Lots of limos have them.
the opera lights were put on the highest trim level among the GM products - the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham d"Ellegance, and the Buick Electra 225 Park Avenue. The regular Electra 225 did not have the opera lights. Same with the Oldsmobile Delta 98...had the opera lights, they all three shared the largest GM sedan platform.
I worked at a Cadillac dealership in the early 80's and I had the pleasure of driving many of those old land ships from the 70's and a few from the 60's. To date they are still some of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven.
@@maxforever26 My 72 El Camino on a $6000 NASCAR racing suspension goes down the road more comfortable than Modern luxury cars! It’s just as comfortable as my Mercedes I got rid of eight years ago👨🏽🎓
I never used to like these huge boxy designs, but in recent years I've started to really appreciate the imposing look of them. They're actually stylish. No one will want to own a modern car in 40 years time.
@@shartingfish5761 I do that. If I don't at least rinse and wipe with a sponge & soap, my dishes come out of the dishwasher with food remnants still on them. If i just do by hand, then I either have to dry them all by hand (and I'm way too lazy for that) and put them away, or put them in a dish drainer, which i don't have room for on my counter. So quick rinse/pre-wash, then dishwasher. I set the dishwasher on short wash, using the detergent and drying agent. It works out.
@@catlovermarty It's less than a year old. Whirlpool. And my old Kenmore did the same. I exaggerated a bit, but certain things like caked-on egg yolks, melted cheese, marinara sauce, dried up canned cat food, etc I need to clean off first or else it will come out still stuck on. Using Cascade or Finish liquid most of the time.
This is actually the prettiest “modern” (post-WWII) Caddy, if you ask me! I saw them in-person (I’m a bit older than Doug). It’s especially cool that it’s white, making an already-huge car look even larger!
My grandmother passed away two weeks ago and she was the biggest fan of the El Dorado and owned one, she was the kind of person you would think would have driven one, a get out of the way I'm coming through kind of lady I really loved her and this video really reminded me of her.
I was just reminded of one of the weirder experiences of my life. I was standing by a secondary highway somewhere in the Netherlands in summer of 1975. I had a small Canadian flag on my bag. I had my thumb out looking for a ride. What would stop in front of me? Why it was a big white Cadillac sedan with Ontario license plates!! Almost certainly the only such car cruising around Europe that summer. Cadillac rides are always memorable.
I had a lot of fun watching this! I learned to drive on a '76 Eldorado - it's still sitting in my father's garage, unmoved for about 10 years. You seem a bit baffled by things that were normal back then, like the bright switch and the placement of the A/C controls (though many cars back then did have them in the center or the dash, many also had them off on the left). You missed some more weird and/or ahead-of-their time features - tail and brake light indicator in the back of the car where you could see it in the rear view mirror, flip-0pen lit makeup mirror on the passenger side (a real luxury back then!), little removable trash can on the passenger side, front wheel drive, hidden button the the glovebox to open the trunk, power antenna, are a few I can think of. Our family's California model had electronic fuel injection, because that was the only way Cadillac could get any power out of it when topped with CA's extra emissions requirements of the time, but it actually had some pretty good get-up-and-go in a pinch - I used to love punching the accelerator to get it into passing gear, and I used to get it up to 100 pretty frequently. I didn't realize how underpowered it was for a Cadillac, though, until years later when I drove a '64 Fleetwood and couldn't keep it under control. Amazing how much power was sapped out of huge V8s in the early days of emissions requirements...
Those little lights at the end of the hood are actually fiber optic cables and tell you when a light is out. There are almost certainly the same ones in the roof above the back passengers heads too. This isn't a car - this is a real Automobile! I love it! How awesome!!
So their not back up sensors? Lol Jk. I didn’t think they had that back then, so I’m guessing you just can’t see them during the ride because it’s so bright out? Totally honest question?
Back in the 80's my best friend's mother owned this car. Occasionally, we were allowed to take it out on Saturday nights. Just imagine 6 or 7 teens cruising in this bad boy! Best times and best car ever! 😀
Frank Bullet, Not at all. That car is more like a barge than a boat. Seven slender teen girls fit easily, three in front and four in back. Oh, to be that young and that slender again, cruising in the Caddy! Good times and good memories with good friends in the Caddy! ☺
Actually, it was a safety regulation designed to be flexible so if one hit a pedestrian (who would be scooped up landing on the hood) they at least wouldn't be impaled by the hood ornament.
My dad worked at General Motors and always bought my mother Cadillac. She wheeled them around like a Porsche and she didn't let anyone pass her up or get in her way, and she could squeeze them in the tightest parking spots. In Michigan, the big block was the ultimate dependable engine that started in below zero weather when Fords were frozen; and the front wheel drive Eldorado got her around during the snow storms when no one else could; and driving the Interstate on family vacations was a smooth cruise out to sea. I think the '56 had electric seats and the gas went in the left tail light. One of my favorites was the '63, with the smaller, more discrete, clean cut fins. We also had a big block 500, which mother plowed into a semi ~ the size of the car and the engine saved her life. The bigger the better. The trunk was big enough to hold two bags of golf clubs, baseball equipment for the Little League team I coached, tool box, and plenty of room for groceries ~ dad used to holler at us kids with the '77 not to slam the trunk and when mom took the short cut over the curb to park he would tell mother~ watch where you are going you are scuffing the tires. I learned pride in work by cleaning the white walls and all the chrome. The brakes needed regular upkeep and yes ~ it guzzled the gas, so when she got thirsty, we took her up to the gas station and filled her up. We called the first gas crisis "Big oils big lie."
I had an 83 Cadillac Deville in 2002 my first car and what a shitbox but I loved it. It had the weird turn signal and headlight indicators on the hood, the rubber between the car and chrome tail lights, and 4 ashtrays each with a cigarette lighter.
My dad owns a 75 eldorado much like this. It is indeed the most comfortable car ive ever been in, floats on the road. If you ever have a chance to ride in one, it will change your opinion on what a comfortable ride is.
Dude did you forget to mention it's front wheel drive?! Incredible in snow, as was the equally ridiculous Toronado. I had the latter, and bumping the compression up to 10:1 completely improved the performance.
Having owned a '69 Eldorado for 7 years in the NW I have to say they were not quite as great in the snow as touted. I got stuck a few times in the Cascades and Mt Hood. Either way, still today, the finest car I ever owned, I miss it terribly.
@@stevebrzosko9793 It's not. Caddy and Olds used a longitudinal V8 attached to a transaxle, coupled with the flywheel and torque converter with a gigantic chain, and drives the front wheels.
My dad let me borrow his caddy for my date, with the threat of death if I damaged it , my date put her high heels marks in the back seat hood lining , poor old dad was pissed and proud at the same time - I miss you dad
She must have figured you weren't going to take very long so she didn't bother taking off her shoes! BTW, since you could lay the back of the front seats almost flat hopping over to the passenger seat would have been much more comfortable especially with no hump in the floorboard. I owned two of these, a 77 and a 78 and they were great cars and demanded respect when you pulled up in them!
Kind of funny hearing Doug utter the phrase "young people today", in the same review that he's shocked by a floor mounted high beam control switch... which was once a ubiquitous design. Anyway, fun review, as always. Keep 'em coming.
This is so funny because back in 1977 I had a good friend by that exact car, color and all. We even went on a road trip from Portland OR to Detroit to buy a custom Pontiac Trans Am called the "Packer GT". That friend and I are now in our Sixties, me here in Oregon and him back in Saudi Arabia with his friends and family.
I drove a powder blue 1978 Eldorado through the 80s, purchased at a police auction. It had a factory CB radio with a Cadillac emblem on it. The front wheel drive took away the annoying hump in the floor. It rode like an elevator, and I loved driving it. I never had issues with turning or parking, but but there were plenty of cars on the road with large hoods and trunks, so we learned how to drive them in our teens. I took many 1000+ mile road trips in that car and it was, to this day, the most comfortable car I've ever owned.
the foot activated brights switch is something i LOVED about older cars.. it's funny to hear you talk about it like it's from another world. I miss that heavy Kuh-clunk feel of it!
I owned one of these in 1976 but I lived in a house built in 1935 so the driveway was only inches wider than the car. This caused my rather petit wife who had difficulty seeing the end of the front hood, to crash into the house regularly when she drove it. The Cadillac was unscathed but I had to make repairs to the foundation of the house. Doug noted there were no headrests. That wasn't because they hadn't been invented, it was a matter of not needing them. You would have to get hit from behind by a Mack truck to even notice that something had happened. Often, owners of these land yachts would arrive home to find that they needed to scrape a Volkswagen Beetle off the rear bumper. The trunk could be rented out as an efficiency apartment, it was so large. You'll notice how dated the car is when you try to park between the lines at Walmart today, not happening. I really loved that car.
Mandated by federal law since,.. '70? '72 maybe. I know that by 72 all cars had them. Maybe '69, think of the Mustangs. The '66 certainly didn't have them, as they interfered with the convertible's perfect lines. The '67 & '68, I don't think so. In '69 they started screwing up the Mustang and if it had headrests nobody noticed. They were options for a few years before the mandate, or, it took them a while to phase them in, and they sold it as a new safety feature. Same thing right?
I’ve had about 10 Eldorado coupes and convertibles. They’re addicting; every time I sell one I get the urge to buy another one. They give the nicest ride of any car in my opinion.
Set the CC and let go of the wheel, this beast would drive itself while you moved past road head and scored from second base all while remaining in the massive front seat.
Hey Doug, I think you missed quite a few ‘quirks and features’: -there are Cadillac wreaths on all the knobs (radio, headlight and the ones on the cigarette lighters were an especially cool touch IMO) -the knobs were chrome plated metal with gold-colored wreaths and they had a ‘weighty’ quality feel to them that differed noticeably from plastic knobs -8-track tape player that was hidden behind the radio dial - push the cassette at the dial and the dial would flip up out of the way -cabin temperature was controlled by a rotary dial -cabin temperature was thermostatically controlled - you set it to a temperature, not just to some position between ‘Hot’ and ‘Cold’ -built-in arm rests in the front seats -there were 2 red brake light indicators located in the rear window frame that could be seen when looking in the rear view mirror -idiot lights and gas gauge located in a blacked-out strip located I n the dash above the speedo -telescoping steering wheel column controlled by a knob on the steer wheel hub -flat floor due to FWD powertrain - the earlier 500 cid V8 Eldo’s were the largest engine ever used in a FWD automotive application -the engine was mounted longitudinally - very unusual - FWD Subarus are maybe the only other longitudinally mounted engine in a FWD car Even though it was a common feature of GM vehicles if the era, this car had hidden windshield wipers that tucked in below the back edge of the hood for a sleek look Also, before the advent of multi-purpose turn signal stalks, virtually ALL American cars used floor-mounted dimmer switches. I always found them to be quite functional as your left foot wasn’t doing much anyway. It was European cars that introduced turn signal stalk dimmer switches IIRC. And this car did have headrests - they were adjustable in height but have be pulled up - in the car you reviewed they were in the lowest position
I know my 81 Coupe DeVille had it and I think I saw it on this one as well but it was the knobs on the headlights where you could turn them to adjust the setting of when the high beams would dim when another car was coming
My Grandma had a slightly newer cadillac. It's weird for me that your so exctied about car featuees and style that I associate with old tottering Grandmas.
@@JosiahLuscher Yeah, I guess I sounded a little excited but it’s just that I’m familiar enough with those cars to finally call Doug out. You know, the Doug who usually reads the owners manual front to back and scours cars thoroughly to point out their quirks. To me, he clearly mailed this review in because he missed so many details. And I still can’t believe he doesn’t realize cars from this era have headrests.
Pro tip if u buy a old Cadilac...Before you do anything to the car... upgrade the brakes, put the biggest and best disc brakes you can, you won't regret it.
I owned a lovely 1974 eldorado and just loved it. You forgot to mention the auto headlights and auto headlight dimmer. And they were actually 18.5ft long. The slogan for this body style was “longer, wider, lower”. My 1974 had the rear fender skirts and I think that was the last year for them as well as the 501 Cadillac big block. Also, if I remember it had rear turn signal monitors top center inside the rear windshield. And one last interesting thing was the radios antenna. When the radio was turned on it would come up only a few inches. If you needed better reception there was a switch to raise it almost 3 ft.
That's the car you drive to from New York to Florida to escape for the winter, with a cigar in hand and a bottle of Scotch in the glove box, listening to The Rat Pack.
My aunt and her boyfriend vacationed in Florida. He had a big old Cadillac. I wanted to buy it. He told me it was not a good idea to sell to me. I guess the Cadillac had problems... or he didn't want to deal with any problems I might have. Thanks "NOT MY UNCLE"
Oh, the memories...back in the late 90's I had a 1978 Eldorado in gun metal grey with light grey leather interior. I loved that car and used it as a daily driver for almost 3 years. Gas mileage be damned. Actually I was able to squeeze out 14 mpg in mine. Just for curiosity I filled the tank and drove it easily and conservatively and was happy to get that 14 especially with Doug saying 9 was average. If I remember right there were 3 horns on the car in different musical notes, I remember my C note horn stopped working and could still get one at the dealer. I really loved that car. It was a joy to drive, nothing ever broke down in over 30,000 miles of driving and SOOO comfortable. I still love that floaty ride. I drive a 2003 Tacoma TRD now and love my truck but I miss my Caddy alot. Regardless of what Doug says the mirrors were just fine and rear visability was not a problem and parking wasn't an issue either as long as you aren't trying to park it in a Prius sized spot. My 5'2" girlfriend at the time now my wife of 20 years could park that car perfectly and without effort. Never had an issue with parking. Not once. And brakes? No issue Doug. I'm glad he didn't really dog the car as it doesn't deserve a poor review. Anyone who ever had one I would bet will remember it fondly.
Jonathan You bet. Just as nice as this white one and didn't have a cracked fender extension. Not a mark on it and zero rust, it was a good looking car and I was proud of it.
I had a friend who picked up his prom date in one of these in 1978. He said the pillow seats and large back seat were wonderful. 7 months later he married that prom date. He musta been telling the truth. Just saying...
I had one only kept it about a year, the millage was just too horrible but it was definatly a joy to own and drive. and your right for such a huge vehicle parking etc was cake I've driven vehicles half the size that are twice as hard to park.
I love how amused you are by things in old cars that were standard fare in the 70's...landau roof, opera lighting, floor mounted high beams, fender mounted signal indicators etc. Its entertaining :)
The fender light indicators were fiber optic so you knew if you had a light that was out. He also missed the fiber optic brake light indicators located over the rear dash ( Interior ) When I was 12 tears old my best friends father had a 77 Biaritz Baby blue with baby blue interior and the first car phone that consisted of a big box like unit in the trunk and a house looking phone up front.
My grandpa used to drive me to kindergarten in 1991 in this car. What I remember most were the pillowed seats I'd completely sink into when I was 5 years old, getting into the back of the car. That and in the early morning when it wasn't bright out, it had lights everywhere around the doors, it was really well lit trying to get into the car. Lights nn the doors themselves, inside and outside on the B pillars. Also in the afternoon after school I remember trying to take that hood ornament off when I was playing outside and no I couldn't get it off 😆
I remember these cars when I was a kid, and I thought they were just beautiful. My family was middle, middle class, and no way in the world we could afford an El Dorado. My best friend's parents had a Fleetwood Broughm, and you felt like you were riding in a limousine. That was just an amazing period of time that we'll never see again.
Big old Caddys where not made to corner. You did not rate it on what they were made for. Ride quality/ smoothness and features amenities. You could literally drive over the curb in that car and not feel a thing. You could steer it with one finger and the back seat is like whoa.
Enjoyed this video as it brought back memories of my 1976 Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance Cadillac which was a 4 door sedan of similar (if not marginally larger size) and I just wanted to share that (except for the front wheel drive) this car shared the same platform and features with the others in the Cadillac line... My Fleetwood had the 8.2l engine and also self leveling suspension... By the way, Doug did miss the indicator (for the driver) interior mini lights which can be seen as two dots in the center rear part of the headliner above the rear windshield. With the benefit of hindsight I can appreciate those cars much more than I did then... It was a magnificent ride and somehow, inspite of the size, they were not at all difficult to drive. But then most cars as of that era were large, with large engines, relaxed, comfortable...
@@TAMPA234 The 1976 Fleetwood Brougham was actually a longer then the 1977 Eldorado, by a substantial amount. Something like 10 inches longer. Of all the large luxury cars of the 1970's, the Eldorado was the smallest. The Imperial, Chrysler New Yorker, Buick Electra 255, Olds 98, Cadillac DeVille & Fleetwood, Lincoln & Continental were all much larger than an Eldorado.
The dimmer switch on the floor was where they pretty much all were on American cars. It's more convenient than on the turn signal stock. I wish they were still on the floor.
Yes, and they were fun to play with, on long road trips..I used to bang mine going down the road, just to hear that loud, metallic click..click...click !
My extended family owned numerous late 60s and 70s vintage GMs, including Cadillacs, Buicks, and Chevrolets, and they mostly shared similar controls and features with this Biarritz. I learned to drive on a Buick with nearly identical controls & dashboard layout. One benefit of the layout in the reviewed Caddy is that controls weren't overloaded - i.e., the turn signal is just for signaling turns. You don't pull on it for brights, or turn a knob on the stalk to work your wipers or to clean the windshield. And my recollection is that the hood ornament could be manipulated not so that it wouldn't be stolen, but so it wouldn't break off in an automatic car wash. This 1976 model was produced several years into GM's decline, and tellingly it shares the same body with the the newly restyled 1971 Eldorado. 1969 & 1970 were, IMO, the high water mark for GM, and American cars in general. Starting in 1971 every GM saw big power reductions with reduced compression and other emissions controls. And the first oil shock in 1974 had Americans starting to look for more fuel efficient vehicles that Detroit really didn't see a need for, leading to a long slow decline in innovation, quality, and ultimately desirability from American automakers. And as bad as 1970s cars were, American cars in the 1980s were worse! Modern cars, including American makes, are better in every conceivable measure: tailpipe emissions, fuel economy, handling, braking, acceleration, safety, maintenance intervals, comforts & amenities, conveniences, etc. Also, I get a kick out of people thinking 90s cars are old. And so it goes, I guess? :)
The brights are mounted on the floor so when you’re driving dark windy roads you can turn them off when oncoming traffic passes without taking your hands of the wheel.
i don't think this is a car you drive dark windy roads on. your front end would be going left while the back end was still trying to navigate the previous right.
Doug's showing his age. The Eldo of this vintage was MASSIVELY cool, especially as it was a favorite feature in movies, and was customized often by recording artists and celebrities. Also, depending on region and cultural nuance, the car was an undeniable status symbol. Probably wouldn't change the Doug score, but it has cool points built in. just saying.
Honestly I really would love one of these and I didn’t grow up in the 70s. Sure, it may be comically massive and underpowered, but the ride and comfort level is amazing, rivaling only that of Rolls-Royce. And considering it’s only a small fraction of the price with a lot less maintenance to pay it’s a pretty good deal.
@@westdakotaofficial7940 if you wanted a land yacht with power, you needed to go back a few years earlier... The big Cadillacs prior to emission controls weren't breaking any records on the track, but they could scoot before emissions standards came along. (don't get me wrong, emissions standards are generally a good thing... but massive slab sided whales with powerful V8s have a certain charm) That said, the appeal of these cars was the comfort... I briefly owned a 1976 Mercury Grand Maquis in the early 90s... and it was like driving on clouds woven from the hair of angels. Road imperfections were swallowed up long before they reached the driver. You could have run over an entire kindergarten and not realized until you got home and wondered why there were three Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle backpacks stuck in the grill.
My mother had a 78 Eldorado, the heaviest front wheel drive 2 door in history. It was like driving a boat and the seats were like a sofa. You failed to mention those turn signal were early fiber optics. The rear view mirror showed fiber optics that showed if your rear brake lights or turn signals were out. The front indicators were also fiber optics. That car was the best. That car was faster then most in it's day. My cousin used to call it the pimp mobile lol It was triple white just like this one.
I had the exact model for a few years in the 80's. The ride was so comfort and relaxing that you felt like you were cruising in your living room. I liked all the features it had to offer such as all-English labeled controls(no idiotic/unexplained icons), completely open/flat floor, padded seats, padded top , huge trunk etc. I did not need to drive much so MPG was not an issue for me. The only downside with that car was that it did have a lot of quality issues.
The only thing I really disliked about my similarly-shaped '84 Toronado was that the doors could block an entire lane of traffic each when opened all the way. (Well, OK, not really. But it felt that way sometimes. And the '84 model was _smaller_ than the one from the '70s. :)
I worked for a guy who owned a gas station in the late 70's and his wife had one a few yrs older and it had the 8.2=500 cubic inches-- I remember the gas shortages well, that Eldorado was WORTHLESS after the 2nd gas shortage in the late 70's
For the late '70 gas shortage price per gallon was the equivalent of $4/gal regular today 2020! That 500 cu. in. probably required premium. Premium would was also hard to find in that time period because the typical means of razing octane was the use of larger additives of lead, which was being reduced in gasoline. American sold premium unleaded and Sunoco had a high octane mix, which they still do today, both of which would have been a source for premium gasoline, but that's getting too complicated for many of these car's owners.
Just a little FYI. The quirky lights on the fenders facing the driver AND the lights above the back window INSIDE, are actually fiber-optic. In other words, they ONLY illuminate with their associated lamps IF the lamp itself is illuminating. It uses the light produced by each indicator or headlamp to go through the fiber-optic cable to illuminate the indicator lights facing the driver visible on the top of the fenders or in the mirror. I think that feature itself brings the score up a bit!
@@brandonpayne7240 that sounds nice but it would defeat the purpose of having fiber optic cables carrying the actual light to verify their operation. If you have a bulb out, the indicator will not illuminate, therefore the driver knows by checking these indicators which bulbs are working and which ones, if any are out.
geta2j You missed something or maybe I wasn’t clear. Replace the headlights bulbs, turn signals, etc not the indicators with LEDs. The fiber optic would transmit that light and like I said it would be purer color or white.
Good Job my man! These Cadillac's are still the TRUE Cars you can put: TV antennas, with a Diamond in the Back, With a Sunroof Top: And tilt the seats with a Gangster lean.
Generally speaking, America really knew how to make great looking luxury cars back in the day. As much as I love Mercedes and BMW, these barges made the 7 series and S-Class of the 1970s and 80s look like compact cars by comparison.
There is always the one item to remember, old American luxury was built on the foundation of the US Interstate System and the National Highways. We had big wide roads in much of our country and Europe has tiny roads. Some of these old Cads would not fit on some roads in Europe.
@@hollallaa I think Top Gear drove one of those once, it did not fit at all into parts of London. not looks wise, I mean it actually physically didnt fit.
As for size, The European cars HAD to be smaller do to European roads. On style though, continental European cars to me looked dull as cheapo compacts then. Only the Brits made cars I was interested in in the 70's. Even the "nicest" Benz then had the same basic styling excitement of a 1975 Dodge Dart, OK looks for an econobox, Not impressive for "luxury". The Good news, (sorta). There's as much "exciting" styling on a Hyundai as there is on a Bimmer! The bad news is: They are ALL ugly now!
@@hollallaa The 600 should be compared to a Cadillac Series 75 (sedan/limousine), Not the Eldorado! (a "personal" coupe). The 10th generation Series 75 (based on the same B/C/D body as the Eldorado in the video) is 6 inches longer than the LONGEST 600. and 34 inches than the "base" 600. In fact the base 600 is SMALLER then the BUICK Electra 225 and OLDSMOBILE 98 that was based on this Eldorados "B/C/D" body!
I laughed when Doug said that was the first time he'd ever seen the bright headlight switch on the floorboard. Most people have no idea how convenient stuff like this was back in the day
@@scottcarl9206 JC Whitney was the Amazon of it's day, only it was mail order but they carried just about everything. if you wanted one of those bare foot covers for your floor mounted high beam switch, or a "suicide knob" (aka: Brodie knob) which would attach to your steering wheel so you could quickly crank your steering wheel to the extreme left or right in an instant. Indeed, JC Whitney seemed to have it all and was always a great catalog to peruse... lol
“People driving this must have been the most ostentatious, annoying bastards of the 1970s…” My first boss owned one, and this comment is spot-on! 😂 I worked for a small food company, and the owner would drive up in his Eldorado and back into this special parking space on the side of the building. He couldn’t see the back of the car, so he would park by “feel”…when he felt the car bump into the building, he would stop. We would all be in the kitchen, the wall would shake, and then we would say “Welp….boss is here!”
@robsolf yes and i believe it was a carry over from the time that cars had starter buttons on the floor...( 1915?-1949? except Ford which was 1920-1950) I looked it up and first headlights that could be dimmed was 1952 Olds via button on the floor..so the timing would fit my theory...
This is when you realize how young Doug is. Pretty much all American-built cars back then had the bright switch button on the floor. The other thing Doug didn't get was why the Eldorado has all of the plastic on the front and back around the bumpers. It wasn't just stuff to make the car longer. They were federally-mandated shock absorbing bumpers that retracted when you hit something then returned to their normal position. They had to be able to withstand a 5-mph impact with no damage. The plastic (urethane, to be exact) would "give" when the bumper retracted.
@@catlovermarty I agree. The last cars with the floor mounted switch were the Ford F-series and Econoline vans, which had them through 1994, so you could reasonably find them through the mid 2000's!
Lol ... Had a 77 Thunderbird which was similar in shape when I was in HS. Was at the GF's house one day and dad was out washing his Blazer or what ever it was that he had. He had money and had a real nice conversion van, some nice luxury car, and the fore mentioned Blazer or Bronco. Told me to never ask Erica to get the van for a date. At that time in HS I usually spoke before thinking.... said no problem I got a big back seat.
When I was in high school my dad had one of these as a daily driver. I took my driving test in it and had to parallel park it to pass. It was the best car to make out in. Lots of room!
I did my driving test in 1994 in a 1980 Olds Cutlass, which wasn't much better than a Cadillac size-wise. It was freakin' barge with a good 3" of play in the steering wheel before it even started to respond. The headliner had detached and was resting on the driving instructor's head. Definitely an awesome car for dates though because even though it was busted to hell it had huge swank factor and front bench seats. Lowrider and classics enthusiasts would be out in our front yard randomly and offer to buy it all the time.
I forget how young Doug is until he says something like "I've never seen a high beam switch on the floor...". I love listening to Doug because he is so excited about every car he reviews.
I absolutely love vintage Cadillacs! Everything about them is just pure amazingness. And they're truly some of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven. I feel like these cars make you a safer driver too. Although they probably won't do too well in a crash test, when you're driving one, you don't want to speed, or do anything wreckless, you just want to enjoy the car for being comfortable and perfect. The car is so nice that you just want to ride in for as long as possible.
They were absolutely fine (and a couple of inches from your foot, which wasn't doing anything else, anyway) - right up until they got stuck, due to random grit accumulated over time. Then, you'd _maybe_ be able to pry it up with your shoe and use it, but probably wouldn't have the function until you stopped and did so with your hand. Which you probably forgot until the next time you tried to use it. But that was pretty rare so, yes, it was fine.
@@ianowens5255 I read that and, in the midst of thinking that your statement meant you have been around older vehicles... realized I am currently wearing a piece of clothing that is two years older than you, lol (and that I was a couple of years older than you when I purchased it). RUclips - where generations meet ;-).
I drove a Ford truck from the nineties that had one for a year. Next to the flick with the extra stalk you can do in modern cars I think its about the easiest place to quickly flash or toggle your brights.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. My dad was a VP at Cadillac during this time so I grew up in the company provided cars he always had. Your correct in saying we will never see the likes of this car again. The car I drive now is a loaded '08 Lincoln TC and although it's comfy and quite it can't hold a candle to the old Caddy's. Have to say I did get a chuckle when you said you had never seen a floor mounted high-beam switch. Damn I'm old, LOL.
Doug these were the most gorgeous cars and most reliable when I was in my late teens....if you had a Cadillac...especially an Eldorado or a Fleetwood or a Seville...YOU MADE IT IN LIFE.. !!!!! SO AMERICAN AND SO GREAT. !!!!
I miss the floor-mounted brights switch. It was easier to use. The fuel cap under the license plate was great, too. It didn't matter how you pulled up to the pump.
Plus, for readers born after about 1980, those two features actually go back quite a way, especially the floor-mounted dimmer button for the headlights. The first car I remember Mom & Dad having was a 1956 Mercury Monterey that they bought used in 1977 when the owner traded for a new model. Had the rear fender skirts, the fuel port was behind the rear license plate, and the key latch for the trunk was behind the Mercury emblem. They kept it until well after I went to college. I learned to drive in a 1960 Fiat sedan that Dad had and generally hated driving the Mercury due to its size and that huge steering wheel. Plus it was huge after the Fiat! Otherwise, lots of memories going to visit grandparents, packing the four of us and our Dachshund mix dog who liked to ride on the rear window shelf and stick her nose out of the front quarter-window while riding in Mom's lap.
they had to get rid of the rear gas cap because of the greater risk of gas leaking out in a rear end collision. Also those floor mounted high beam switches were removed because muddy or wet shoes tended to make them rust and fail
Also, the 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville was a two-door and just as long as the '77 Eldorado. In fact, so was the 1969 Coupe de Ville (both the '59 and '69 were 225" long).
OK, so I guess I'll throw 2 cents into this mess. I see several of you are astonished that he forgot to mention the "quirk" of it being front wheel drive. If he was totally astonished that the high-beam switch was a button on the floor, then the majority of cars he's familiar with are front wheel drive. He may be more astonished to learn that the majority of cars back then were rear wheel drive. The hood indicator "lights" for the turn signals/headlights/highbeams are not lights at all. They're optic leads. Yes, a flexible strand of clear plastic that carries light from the actual light to that hood-mounted indicator so you don't need a 2nd person to check if any of your bulbs are burned out. While we're on that subject, there are two more mounted inside the car... at the top center of the rear windshield to tell you that your taillights are functioning, and they're easily visible when you look into the rearview mirror. (in the video at the 11:30 mark, you can see them... WORKING.) The rubber fender extenders were functional, not poor quality. (Others have commented on this as well.) The power trunk closer... well, if he had opened the glove compartment he would have seen a yellow button in there that opens the trunk from inside the car too. Crazy, I know, even though almost 20 years prior, the 1958 Caddy Eldorado Brougham had two buttons in the glove box, one that opened the trunk, and one that closed it, "no hands" style. The "no headrests" segment made me want to flip a table, yo. (...or something like that.) When he was fiddling with the hood ornament I was reaching for a ruler with which to whack his knuckles. That 40+ year old hood ornament alone would not be easy to replace had it broken off in his hand. (Trust me on this, they aren't cheap, or readily available.) I was impressed, however that he caught the second door handle on the passenger door. What he missed, on that option is that the seat-back latches automatically unlatch when the door opens. Someone who is going to do this type of video on different cars should spend at least 10 minutes on google before they start. Ok, I know my 2 cents turned into about a buck twenty-five, but there ya have it.
Oh, I forgot about the gas filler being behind the license plate. I'm pulling up to the gas pumps and... which side do I need to go to? Oh, that's right... IT DOESN'T MATTER. That little light behind the side window is called an opera light. Yes, it was a thing back then. Many stretch limousines have them to this day. Cornering lights have been around forever. Car horns: today= 1 note, or basically a buzzer. Back then, most were 2 notes, and they were actually tuned to a musical note, because you could buy replacement horns and designate which note you needed. That barge horn you're hearing on these cars is 3 notes... or, basically, a Chord. And since we're talking about music, he didn't even notice that the car has a factory 8-track player in the radio. I'm sure that he's never even heard of an 8-track tape, so we'll move on. He never mentioned the tilt-steering wheel, so again, I'm sure he has no idea that it's also telescopic. (I couldn't tell for sure on the telescopic, but I would love to see him try to figure out where the release/lock for that is.) Now I guess I'm up to about a buck seventy-five. Gonna shut up before I go broke. LOL
Oh... When automatic car washes became popular (the kind your car goes through on a track with those huge spinning brushes), the old cars with hood ornaments would occasionally come out the other end of the car wash nice and clean, minus a hood ornament. The Spring-mounted hood ornament was to make sure it was still there after a trip through a car-wash.
The 8-track player is kind of hidden, you wouldn't know it was there unless someone showed it to you, I'm just disappointed he didn't talk about the telescoping antenna that would come out of the car when you turned the radio on. Also, the switch is just to the right of the steering wheel. Probably not working any longer.
JIm, great set of details. As the past owner of 73, and 77 Coupe DeVille's and well as many European and Asian cars since it's hard looking back to realize how advanced the Caddy was. He isn't aware that the added length front and back came in 1973 when the caddy picked up 5mph bumpers, and they were added to existing body designs. At least that Eldo has flexible rubber my 77 had a hard plastic that cracked and became brittle and was hard to get replacements for.
I love how Doug emphases how the Caddy truly drives like a boat where modern day cars really don't fit this profile. Uh, right, this is the very type of car where the term came from! I remember sitting in cars like this as a kid, when they were new, and feeling like I was in a boat as the driver gleefully boasted, "See how it just drifts so smoothly?"
I was a parking attendant in Manhattan in the early 2000s and one of the customers actually had 3 of these, in PRISTINE vintage condition! Hell, they're probably still there right now.
The one in the interior over the rear window for the rears is fiber also. Looked like two neon bulbs in there. I used to marvel at it as a kid riding in the back of my old man's De Ville at night. Well because there were no phones or tablets then.
I met an old man back in the 90s, who claimed that he created the fiber optics program at GM. I have no idea if he was full of it, but who would make that up? Your comment got me remembering that old convo.
sylkelster that's awesome I thought the same thing when I saw this same type of device on the ceiling of my grandfather's 79 Lincoln Continental Mark 5 it also had the indicator lights way out on the front fenders that this caddy has. I was always so intrigued by that little box in the ceiling and I'd watch it as you would drive seeing the brakes and turning indicated
my family had one when i was getting my learner's permit (not this exact kind but super similar). we inherited it when my grandmother died and she was one of those old-money southern (georgia) ladies. it really WAS a comfortable car that you could spread out in on long drives. ac blasted cold air and the suspension made you feel like you were riding on clouds. i got to use it as a daily driver for a while in the 90s and i loved it. keep in mind this was the era where getting these things and putting hydraulics on them so they could bounce around was the coolest thing in the world lol. the v8 engine sounded nice but it was such a gas-guzzler that it ended up wasting away under a tarp for years.. sold to a salvage place for a grand i think. i kinda miss that car and this video gave me a spike of nostalgia
the 1977 Eldorado is like Fat Elvis. The 1967 Eldorado is an entirely different story. One of the most beautiful coupes ever made. Headrests were standard in 1969 - 8 years before the car Doug is driving. The fender indicators were a great idea - and were one of the first uses of fiber optics in automobiles. The "cornering lights" he mocks were a popular luxury accessory because hedlight were on the front of the car - not the entire front fender to the front axle like today. And Doug - no one bought an Eldorado to seat 6.
I like your review. However, I feel compelled to correct you on a couple of topics. The hood ornament wasn't designed to be kept from being stolen. It was a safety feature to keep you from stabbing or inflicting serious injury to a pedestrian if you hit one.The exterior lights outside the car near the rear window were called "coach lights". They were common on luxury cars like Cadillac, Lincoln, and Mercury. They may have even been on other manufacturers.Anyway, I enjoyed the review.
The light on the side in the front near the side indicators were so people saw you comming around the corner as you'll notice the small amount it would illuminate isn't observible from inside the car, if you can't see around a corner (becouse of the 2 yard long hood) they'll let people know you're comming. My "75 Continental had 'em too for the same reason.
I owned a couple of these cars in the past, including the 77 Biarritz. It does indeed have telescoping head rests in both front seats. Also it has rear lamp indicators over the rear window so you could see your rear turn signals, brake lights and rear markers in the rearview mirror. As for handling you must have had a poorly maintained one because that was the most comfortable car to drive and steer. I am 6'4" and I never had a problem sitting in that car. Oh and yes, I did have to replace the hood ornament about half a dozen times due to theft. Just pull up and POP!
I had both a 73 and a 78 Eldo. The 73 was by far the better of the two. The front wheel drive with the 501c.i. engine was a monster in the snow, but both were a challenge to parallel park. The auto-dimmer was a hoot on the highway, too...off...on...off...on... ;-))
This car was way ahead of it's time. It deserves a badge of honor for that. Thermometer, turn signal, lights, and brights indicator, stuff that nowadays you can all just see on your smart screen radio. Also with the addition of a trunk that can technically close itself... This car deserves a badge of honor.
A trunk that's actually usable. Todays pop cans can barely hold one small suitcase. Have to rent a uhaul trailer if you want to travel anywhere. Or fedex your stuff a week in advance.
Doug's lack of knowledge about relatively recent automotive history is disappointing. ALL vehicles up to a certain point had a floor-mounted switch for high beam headlights. Most hood ornaments, from Mercedes to Cadillac to a generic Plymouth had a mount that would allow it to bend. Less dangerous to pedestrians, less likely to get bent out of shape--and nothing to do with making it harder to steal. Thieves could just pull up on it to stretch the spring mount and then snip it off. Those WERE the ones that were being stolen. The light on the side of the roof is just fancy Cadillac decoration. Interesting that he didn't mention some of the things that are unusual by modern standards like the half vinyl roof or the paint-matched wheel covers. OMG. Doug. The Mercedes S Class of its day was the Mercedes S Class. M-B was very much a respected luxury brand in 1977. Cadillac was already very much feeling the heat from the German makers well before '77. Please stick to reviewing interesting modern cars, or do your homework before you just spout things that come to you mind that don't add anything but annoying inaccuracy to your videos.
Eric, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes... and probably more yes's. He (Doug) is charming and sometimes humorous in his own way, but he is totally clueless about features on cars of that (and previous) eras.
Eric L Eric L yes, the S Class had already existed by that time, but it wasn’t much popular in the US compared to GM vehicles. And in 70s American land yachts still remained the sign of luxury while German cars weren’t on the public heat
@@lordstallion3150 Point taken. I meant that the MB S-Class existed in 1977, because it sounded like he was saying it didn't. But in Jan 2018 Doug published an article ranking the S Class models so he presumably learned that they were around in '77. Your comment prompted some research and I found an interesting read from July 1977 Car & Driver (by David E. Davis, Jr.) that mentions the '77 Mercedes really wasn't all that luxurious so in the end you're spot-on with regard to luxury cars. Thanks! "That does not necessarily make it the best car in the world; not even the most luxurious. We have to call anything that has wheels and seats and a price of $40,000 a luxury car, but this Mercedes doesn’t offer a great deal of luxury for that kind of money. "
I had a 1975 Eldorado convertible when I graduated high school and went to college. So I know this car well and for its time it was king of the road. Today it would be a great car to travel for a few hours on the interstate between cities when you wanted a different experience and could not afford a Rolls Royce. It deserves a higher score! 😎
In '86, i bought a '76 Eldorado... coolest car i've ever owned. Back then, it was costing me $125/week to drive to my $8.50/hr. job(~35 miles each way)! LMAO. Everyone loved it though.. when i pulled up, they would say "the Dr. is here"(i was only 21). It had the 8.2L (501 c.i.d.) in it; i could beat most newer cars in a 1/4 mile drag,(keeping in mind, this was '86) and after that...i was gone (and could roast the front tires), and it would hit ~130 mph! It was sooo far ahead of it's time.. FWD, 4-wheel disk brakes, twilight-sentinel lighting, (no hump in the middle of the car due to FWD, i could sleep on the floor under the dash in front of the seats) rear air shocks, etc. etc. etc. It was built like a tank. My buddy and i were out bombing around in the local forest trails, one night.. he was in his '77 Ford LTD (another big boat), and he hit the brakes suddenly. I was too close behind, and hit him at around 15 mph. It bent his rear bumper under, and didn't even scratch the bumper on mine (any new car now would have sustained huge damage.. probably $5000 or more). Ahhh.. the good ol' days...at least i think they were good, from what i can remember!! ;)
1Tanker Why can't we go back to these cars, we make shit now, why don't we just make old 70s cars but new, I would love an old coupe deville as a millenial
WHAT? A car guy has never seen bright switches on the floor? Pretty much EVERY American car had them through the '70s and many into the '80s. The hood ornament did that to keep it from breaking... not "impossible to steal," in fact quite easy... just yank really hard! Says BMW made "crappy little cars" then shows an E21 I'd LOVE to have. Says the car doesn't have headrests... literally has a headrest behind his head (it's a crappy one, but it does raise and was there to keep you from snapping your neck) Doesn't mention front wheel drive setup at all. Love this guy's videos, but he slipped a bit on this one.
Great video. The first car I owned had a left-foot-controlled bright switch and I loved it. You didn't have to take your hands off the steering wheel and mess with some flimsy switch. I have often thought that manufacturers should go back to that.
You're right about that. This car has style. The engine can be upgraded to have a lot more power. Would really like to have one of these sitting in my driveway. Knew a guy when I was in the military who had one of these. Knew another who had a Lincoln Continental Mark IV. Two very classy cars.
Glad someone agrees. I heard about this doochebag Doug from watching other RUclips videos (like SaabKyle04). The guy doesn't know shit about cars and looks like he should be working in a toy factory.
Thanks for the memories. I have owned over 200 cars in my life. Many were what some would consider dream cars. I will always have fond memories of my 1976 Eldorado with the rare EFI 500 engine. It looked just like that car. I have to say that was the most comfortable car I have ever driven. It also got an incredible 16 mpg with that EFI engine. Other Eldorado's I've owned, a 1970 and 1974 only got about 10 mpg. That's one car that I probably should not have sold...
@@hey_buddy_waz_up He was squeezing that piece to show how absurd it is. Like the thing weighs a ton already, why couldn't they just use an all metal piece?
COMPLAINT! A 0-to-60 time under 10 seconds, back then, qualified it as a "sports" or at least "Performance" car, and it's Front Wheel Drive gave it handling characteristics that surpassed other full sized cars of their time.
@@mackpenn Huh? That doesn't make sense! The review wasn't on other Cadillacs, it was on this one. And this one is front wheel drive. They reviewed a front wheel drive cadillac and I pointed out how it's front wheel drive gave it better handling characteristics than most of it's competition.
@steve crawford You're right, it's not terrible even now! But, back in it's day it was considered "Fast." A 1977 Porsche 911 S had a 0-60 time of 8.4 seconds but weighed HALF AS MUCH!
Eh, doug seems pretty tough on his acceleration scores. His benchmark is against performance modern cars so it really does take quite a fast car to get a good score in his book. He compares ALL cars reviewed to modern standards so even if something was "good for the time" it doesn't make a difference.
Here in Brazil, 10 seconds is very good for most cars, since our market are fully loaded by 3 to 4 cylinders with 70-80 hp... 8s here are already in the ''sport'' category. Crazy to think about Indian cars being a lot slower and how our perception changes. Think about an Challenger Hellcat... An ''family SEDAN'' with more than 700 hp... How cool is this? Most markets dont think sedans as an fast car.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Doug, those little lights behind the rear quarter window were "opera lamps" as Cadillac called them and were a throwback to the thirties from which they were rescued by the surface detail department of GM design. The whole Cadillac line offered them and on some of the DeVilles they were extra, about $86.00 if I recall correctly. The added vinyl areas on the front and rear were what allowed the car to meet the five-mile an hour no damage requirement that the government instituted. The bumpers were on hydraulic cylinders and could compress but the bodywork had to flex so it would not be damaged. As you can see the paint discolors on the vinyl after a time. Great review. I still love the car and the convertible which was made up until 76 was also awesome. They had the great advantage of being able to have your girlfriend ride right next to you up close with no console or bucket seats to stop the fun. In fact, there was a whole protocol for how much a girl was interested based on where she sat when she got in the car. But that's another thing entirely.
i dont think he asked
About this girl thing I appreciate being from a 3rd world country. Cars of this era were a third of the size of this Cadillac with some having one entire seat at the front to cover the driver and front passanger. Only way to be distant from the driver was to pull your head off the car and enjoy the breeze. Actually if a girl said yes for a ride she was already into you...
@@rafaelrp07 dude i never said the car was a piece of shit i just told him that doug never asked
@Eddie Bone yeah
Dude I think we should fire Doug and hire you, your comment was more entertaining than the entirety of his review 👍
Lol - that horn. "Mommy I hear a train coming."
"No Timmy, it's something even bigger, a Cadillac ElDorado.
Lmao
my dad's friend had one where the exhaust fell off and it was as loud as a train even when it wasnt honking
lol.
👹
Yes
The strangest feature of this car for me, is that it's actually front wheel drive (FWD). A massive V8 that spins the front wheels! haha
Low HP is the reason why it fit in the front. If it had more power it would have to be a rwd.
Atomicus I don’t think that’s how it works chief
@@capriceHR you must be the type of person that thinks adding stickers to your car makes it faster
@@fungustmaster yeah, go and play some more nfs 😁😁
and how about the look when you put the snow tires on the front.
As a Brit, I've always loved this era of cars made in the USA. They have a real presence and it's such a shame that they don't make them like this anymore.
Used to be lots right here in Manchester. We had a main Cadillac dealer on Deansgate, (Bauer and Millett). Still a few Escalades and Chev Suburbans to be seen on the Leafy Lanes of Cheshire. Very few (Running) , left around LA, but thousands in Sweden and Denmark.
@ Robert Croft
Just returned back to Sunny Manchester after being in the States for 10 years. I noticed that the dealership is no longer there. When did they dissappear?
@@sma7530 Time flies, but it must be a few years ago. Wish I was in USA now ! I have travelled nearly every AMTRAK route . Going to San Antonio next for the trip to
New Orleans. Also ridden every LA Metro
line but for the new Slawson/Crenshaw station. Only places to see classic US cars on the road is Cuba and Sweden.
I use to live in Ipswich and they referred to our big American cars as "Yank Tanks".. :) 😄
In those days, car still had style and elegance - or at least a good number of them. Nowadays, cars worldwide are just ugly and overpriced commodities. Buying a new car has become as exciting as replacing your old refrigerator.
Those are the most comfortable looking seats I've ever seen
@@h3llokimmi3 The case was dropped. In the US you are not a criminal unless you are CONVICTED in CRIMINAL COURT of a CRIME. IDK what happened (Obviously I wasn;t there)But ACCUSATION does not equal GUILT. I was once questioned about a crime I supposedly committed in Mississippi. I'm from Pennsylvania and have only ever been to New York, Ohio,Maryland and West Virginia!
James Slick you’re right once they found that Semen his story Changed and they settled out of court 😂
@@h3llokimmi3 "Settled out of court" is a CIVIL action, not a CRIMINAL conviction. HUGE difference. He MAY have DONE it, or NOT Like I said I don't KNOW. A settlement does not equal guilt either. Many people and business will settle bogus claims in civil cases to just make the case go away. Large corporations even budget for this. But since there was no CONVICTION, he cannot be legally be called a rapist, In fact calling someone that, who has not been convicted opens you up for civil action yourself (If you had enough money to make it worthwhile for someone to sue you.).
@@neb4587 No, But the areas I have covered are larger than several entire countries in Europe. Perhaps I'll get to Delaware, New Jersey and Ontario this year.
James Slick someone is Settling out of Court with me as we type to each other now, And if she doesn’t pay me I hand the case over to the state and the prosecute her. She’s paying me and she’ll stay out of court.....But most importantly “She’s Guilty”.
Up to the 1980s, owning a Cadillac was a sign you _made it._ You were an Important Person. It didn't matter that these cars were slow or maneuvered like ocean liners, because other drivers got out of your way. This was a Cadillac, and you damn well better respect both it and its driver.
My grandpa was one of the higher-ups at the local mill when they were going strong. He drove Cadillacs, and that's why I have a soft spot in my heart for this era of Caddies. He preferred the sedans like the Fleetwoods and deVilles.
Fleetwoods ➡️ Fleetwood Mac ➡️ You Can Go Your Own Way➡️ Casino➡️ Nicky Santoro➡️ BJ in a white Cadillac
@@T--xk3hf what?
@Л Левинский
You're too young and also of some Soviet variety so you don't understand the reference. But it's ok, you don't have to.
@@mickeypopa soviet…?
@@mohawk4759
Yes, Soviet (Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Georgian, Uzbek, whatever the fuck)...
Because I can't fucking guess which one he is, can I?
Doug Dimmadome type of car
Doug Dimmadome, owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome?
@@Ben-jz3mt *NOT RIGHT*
Is doug dimmadome doug's dad?
Gabs Nandes it’s from fairly odd parents hot dog
LandoTheOracle I’m Doug Dimmadome, owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, Dome Dammodome DimmaDomedome DimmaDomadome DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
One thing to point out about how huge cars like this went obsolete: in 1990 my grandfather bought a brand new Buick Roadmaster, right after it’d been revived and the thing was gigantic! It was longer than his brother’s Caddy at the time! The Roadmaster was a beast but very luxurious. I went with my grandparents on a trip from Rochester NY to Ft Myers FL to help them drive it down there and even tho it was 3 days of them bickering most of the time, that car was a smooth ride. It wasn’t at all like driving south for Spring Break in a car half the size, it was like a hotel on wheels.
My dad had a 96 deville. They don't call them boats for nothing
The hood ornament wasnt designed like that due to theft, it was a safety feature for any pedestrian who may be unlucky to have been hit - the ornament would bend out of the way instead of slicing into the persons guts :-(
Gay. When I run someone over, I want them to be impaled on my car. I want them to be stuck, so I can make them pay for the dent they leave on my hood.
Well, coincidentally it also makes it extremely hard to remove. It took me lots of effort, twisting and turning the wire, while preventing it from rotating with a screw driver in order to remove. No, I didn't vandalize someones car lol, this was at a junk yard. I still have that hood ornament among other badges I got that day for my collection xD
SuperCriollo a
LOL, It was for theft.
So, you get hit by a 2.5 ton car, with a metal front bumper that's 6 feet wide...........and you're worried about the hood ornament???
Sahadi420 yes ... obvious you've never been hit by a car.
For anyone wondering, the lights on the side of the vinyl roof are called "opera lights" or "coach lights". They're a symbol of luxury. Lots of limos have them.
And also the Soviet Moskvich 412 :D
FrazzledWizard 35 Chrysler imperial 😳😳😳
I loved them! So cool...
the opera lights were put on the highest trim level among the GM products - the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham d"Ellegance, and the Buick Electra 225 Park Avenue. The regular Electra 225 did not have the opera lights. Same with the Oldsmobile Delta 98...had the opera lights, they all three shared the largest GM sedan platform.
I worked at a Cadillac dealership in the early 80's and I had the pleasure of driving many of those old land ships from the 70's and a few from the 60's. To date they are still some of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven.
Were you there long enough
to sneak a whole car out,
piece by piece?
Just wondering...
@@og-greenmachine8623 I know how the song ends so no. 🤣
Amen brother! I tell people all the time cars like that were WAY!!! more comfortable than today’s cars.
@@maxforever26
My 72 El Camino
on a $6000 NASCAR racing suspension
goes down the road more comfortable
than Modern luxury cars!
It’s just as comfortable as my Mercedes
I got rid of eight years ago👨🏽🎓
I never used to like these huge boxy designs, but in recent years I've started to really appreciate the imposing look of them. They're actually stylish. No one will want to own a modern car in 40 years time.
In 40 years from now, you might not be able to own ANY car that runs on gasoline.
@@williamwilkins3084 you can’t say that with certainty. Lots of companies are developing synthetic fuels. Legislation can always change.
@@williamwilkins3084 not true
@@williamwilkins3084Nah if they do that there'll be terrorism
Better than new car designs that all look the exact same, rounded at each end like a football.
Doug is the type of guy to give honest reviews with zero clickbait and is soon to surpass vehicle virgins in subscribers.
Yeah, atleast doug is genuine. That other dude is a fucking douchebag
Don't give him ideas for clickbait!
Well at least Doug surpasses Vehicle Virgins in integrity
I think you already wrote something like that before
Alex Gray I
1977 Cadillac: I am a land yacht
2020 Smart Car: I am a shopping cart.
Lol
More like a shopping stroller.
😆😅🤣😂😂😂, Ahhhh, that was GREAT
Americans be like
Ah yes, Ford F150, perfect car to get groceries
@@DutchDukeMan europeans be like
Ah yes, a smart car, perfect car to push my kid around in walmart.
Doug's the kinda guy to clean the house before the cleaning lady comes
daddyrichten mine does that too,.. makes me nuts.. if you're gonna wash the dishes first, just put them away?? No???
@@shartingfish5761 I do that. If I don't at least rinse and wipe with a sponge & soap, my dishes come out of the dishwasher with food remnants still on them. If i just do by hand, then I either have to dry them all by hand (and I'm way too lazy for that) and put them away, or put them in a dish drainer, which i don't have room for on my counter. So quick rinse/pre-wash, then dishwasher. I set the dishwasher on short wash, using the detergent and drying agent. It works out.
I’ve seen a lot of one-liner Doug roasts, but that one was the most accurate I’ve read.
@@dr.bunterhidenbrobruh5502 You need a new dishwasher. I put them in mine, after scraping the big chunks, and they come out fine.
@@catlovermarty It's less than a year old. Whirlpool. And my old Kenmore did the same. I exaggerated a bit, but certain things like caked-on egg yolks, melted cheese, marinara sauce, dried up canned cat food, etc I need to clean off first or else it will come out still stuck on. Using Cascade or Finish liquid most of the time.
This is actually the prettiest “modern” (post-WWII) Caddy, if you ask me! I saw them in-person (I’m a bit older than Doug). It’s especially cool that it’s white, making an already-huge car look even larger!
1965 - 1966 Cadillacs?
@@Jeff-bd5yomore like 1946-1976
@@junkstewy6990 No I mean that the 1965 - 1966 Cadillacs are the most beautiful post WWII Cadillac. Other Caddy's look great too.
This car's exterior curves are so much cooler than newer Cadillacs. That is such a beautiful shaped car.
Agreed
It's a peice of American art work
Beautiful like a squared bathtub 😅😅😅
Freakin’ barge.
“curves”
My grandmother passed away two weeks ago and she was the biggest fan of the El Dorado and owned one, she was the kind of person you would think would have driven one, a get out of the way I'm coming through kind of lady I really loved her and this video really reminded me of her.
I was just reminded of one of the weirder experiences of my life. I was standing by a secondary highway somewhere in the Netherlands in summer of 1975.
I had a small Canadian flag on my bag. I had my thumb out looking for a ride.
What would stop in front of me? Why it was a big white Cadillac sedan with Ontario license plates!!
Almost certainly the only such car cruising around Europe that summer. Cadillac rides are always memorable.
I have friends that still remind me, "Hey, I'll never forget when you picked me up in that Eldorado"
Strange, cool though!
I had a lot of fun watching this! I learned to drive on a '76 Eldorado - it's still sitting in my father's garage, unmoved for about 10 years. You seem a bit baffled by things that were normal back then, like the bright switch and the placement of the A/C controls (though many cars back then did have them in the center or the dash, many also had them off on the left). You missed some more weird and/or ahead-of-their time features - tail and brake light indicator in the back of the car where you could see it in the rear view mirror, flip-0pen lit makeup mirror on the passenger side (a real luxury back then!), little removable trash can on the passenger side, front wheel drive, hidden button the the glovebox to open the trunk, power antenna, are a few I can think of. Our family's California model had electronic fuel injection, because that was the only way Cadillac could get any power out of it when topped with CA's extra emissions requirements of the time, but it actually had some pretty good get-up-and-go in a pinch - I used to love punching the accelerator to get it into passing gear, and I used to get it up to 100 pretty frequently. I didn't realize how underpowered it was for a Cadillac, though, until years later when I drove a '64 Fleetwood and couldn't keep it under control. Amazing how much power was sapped out of huge V8s in the early days of emissions requirements...
I love the styling. This car is truly like a time capsule. Makes you feel like a 1970's gangster.
*pimp
Only in america😂😂 in europe people will think you are autistic
Even tony Montana would be turning his head.
I'm 5' 10'', but in 1977 I was 7' 9" with the required platform dance shoes and well groomed afro.
LOL!!
😂😂😂😂😂.
😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
LOLOLOL
My dad always said people in the 70’s were like a foot taller than they really are 😂
Those little lights at the end of the hood are actually fiber optic cables and tell you when a light is out. There are almost certainly the same ones in the roof above the back passengers heads too. This isn't a car - this is a real Automobile! I love it! How awesome!!
So their not back up sensors? Lol Jk. I didn’t think they had that back then, so I’m guessing you just can’t see them during the ride because it’s so bright out? Totally honest question?
Those seats look comfortable af!
La Tui They are! It’s like driving my couch! Oh wait... I have rear seats from a 78 Eldo in my living room lol
I had a 1976, great car.
The car seats six, as Doug said... seven if you include the trunk...
I had a 78 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham, and yes seats like that are supremely comfortable!
@@Sgt_Glory
You can put 3 people in the trunk too ...
Back in the 80's my best friend's mother owned this car. Occasionally, we were allowed to take it out on Saturday nights. Just imagine 6 or 7 teens cruising in this bad boy! Best times and best car ever! 😀
Looks awesome fun hahahaha....
Frank Bullet, Not at all. That car is more like a barge than a boat. Seven slender teen girls fit easily, three in front and four in back. Oh, to be that young and that slender again, cruising in the Caddy! Good times and good memories with good friends in the Caddy! ☺
Karen R what color was it? Did it have the white leather?
More than cruising.......
Holy shit how did she get the money?
That is not a theft resistant hood ornament. The reason for the spring mount is to prevent it from breaking off in a car wash.
Actually, it was a safety regulation designed to be flexible so if one hit a pedestrian (who would be scooped up landing on the hood) they at least wouldn't be impaled by the hood ornament.
Mark V yes. This is a safety feature.
Doug is an idiot, what do you expect. He's clueless about the car he is reviewing.
I KNOW! Right?! what a dolt!
That's true.
My dad worked at General Motors and always bought my mother Cadillac. She wheeled them around like a Porsche and she didn't let anyone pass her up or get in her way, and she could squeeze them in the tightest parking spots. In Michigan, the big block was the ultimate dependable engine that started in below zero weather when Fords were frozen; and the front wheel drive Eldorado got her around during the snow storms when no one else could; and driving the Interstate on family vacations was a smooth cruise out to sea. I think the '56 had electric seats and the gas went in the left tail light. One of my favorites was the '63, with the smaller, more discrete, clean cut fins. We also had a big block 500, which mother plowed into a semi ~ the size of the car and the engine saved her life. The bigger the better. The trunk was big enough to hold two bags of golf clubs, baseball equipment for the Little League team I coached, tool box, and plenty of room for groceries ~ dad used to holler at us kids with the '77 not to slam the trunk and when mom took the short cut over the curb to park he would tell mother~ watch where you are going you are scuffing the tires. I learned pride in work by cleaning the white walls and all the chrome. The brakes needed regular upkeep and yes ~ it guzzled the gas, so when she got thirsty, we took her up to the gas station and filled her up. We called the first gas crisis "Big oils big lie."
Doug the type of guy who prefers to look at an eclipse on auto trader rather than looking at the one in the sky.
Kryton woah your famous
I had an 1982 Fleetwood. Like driving your living room.
Comfortable as hell
Had?
83 Seville for me, bought it for 500 bucks back in 1999 I loved that car. Smaller and less powerful than this model but still had the same feel
I had an 83 Cadillac Deville in 2002 my first car and what a shitbox but I loved it. It had the weird turn signal and headlight indicators on the hood, the rubber between the car and chrome tail lights, and 4 ashtrays each with a cigarette lighter.
Matt Kennedy yep
My dad owns a 75 eldorado much like this. It is indeed the most comfortable car ive ever been in, floats on the road. If you ever have a chance to ride in one, it will change your opinion on what a comfortable ride is.
Larkspeed Have you ever ridden in an old Cadillac??
I have a 77 Deville Sedan...425....she floats...build to last
Cruised 4 caddies in the mid '70's. A '67 sedan deville, '72 Fleetwood , '75 Fleetwood and a '72 Eldorado convertible.
Dude did you forget to mention it's front wheel drive?! Incredible in snow, as was the equally ridiculous Toronado. I had the latter, and bumping the compression up to 10:1 completely improved the performance.
Having owned a '69 Eldorado for 7 years in the NW I have to say they were not quite as great in the snow as touted. I got stuck a few times in the Cascades and Mt Hood. Either way, still today, the finest car I ever owned, I miss it terribly.
This is rear drive. Beginning of the video he lifts the hood.
@@stevebrzosko9793 It's not. Caddy and Olds used a longitudinal V8 attached to a transaxle, coupled with the flywheel and torque converter with a gigantic chain, and drives the front wheels.
@stampedetrail2003 thanks for the info. I thought all front wheel drives were mounted sideways.
Took my drivers test in one of these Dad salad if you can parallel park this you can drive anything
salad.
Dad salad.
cake eater 😂
Unless you have a 40' school bus.
I'm not sure what you dad's salad has to do with anything but ok.
No park assist? ☹️
My dad let me borrow his caddy for my date, with the threat of death if I damaged it , my date put her high heels marks in the back seat hood lining , poor old dad was pissed and proud at the same time - I miss you dad
😂😂😂😂 Go onnnnn
She must have figured you weren't going to take very long so she didn't bother taking off her shoes! BTW, since you could lay the back of the front seats almost flat hopping over to the passenger seat would have been much more comfortable especially with no hump in the floorboard. I owned two of these, a 77 and a 78 and they were great cars and demanded respect when you pulled up in them!
Say What lol you misspelled “i got poop marks on the seat from jerome long dicking me”
@@01270211136 Well you can stick a "gimp" behind the wheel of anything as is very apparent today but was a different story back then!
That was a great story
Kind of funny hearing Doug utter the phrase "young people today", in the same review that he's shocked by a floor mounted high beam control switch... which was once a ubiquitous design. Anyway, fun review, as always. Keep 'em coming.
I still prefer that design.
Yeah. I'm not even 18 yet and the one and only vehicle i've ever owned/daily drive has floor highbeams (1989 f150.)
This is so funny because back in 1977 I had a good friend by that exact car, color and all. We even went on a road trip from Portland OR to Detroit to buy a custom Pontiac Trans Am called the "Packer GT". That friend and I are now in our Sixties, me here in Oregon and him back in Saudi Arabia with his friends and family.
I drove a powder blue 1978 Eldorado through the 80s, purchased at a police auction. It had a factory CB radio with a Cadillac emblem on it. The front wheel drive took away the annoying hump in the floor. It rode like an elevator, and I loved driving it. I never had issues with turning or parking, but but there were plenty of cars on the road with large hoods and trunks, so we learned how to drive them in our teens. I took many 1000+ mile road trips in that car and it was, to this day, the most comfortable car I've ever owned.
Not fast?It'll do 120+mph
I agree, i too own a 1978 Eldorado custom biarritz classic and it is the most comfortable car ever. Fuel economy is abismal tho, about 9mpg
the foot activated brights switch is something i LOVED about older cars.. it's funny to hear you talk about it like it's from another world. I miss that heavy Kuh-clunk feel of it!
The starter switch used to be down there as well.
I owned one of these in 1976 but I lived in a house built in 1935 so the driveway was only inches wider than the car. This caused my rather petit wife who had difficulty seeing the end of the front hood, to crash into the house regularly when she drove it. The Cadillac was unscathed but I had to make repairs to the foundation of the house. Doug noted there were no headrests. That wasn't because they hadn't been invented, it was a matter of not needing them. You would have to get hit from behind by a Mack truck to even notice that something had happened. Often, owners of these land yachts would arrive home to find that they needed to scrape a Volkswagen Beetle off the rear bumper. The trunk could be rented out as an efficiency apartment, it was so large. You'll notice how dated the car is when you try to park between the lines at Walmart today, not happening. I really loved that car.
My 1964 Imperial Crown Coupe had headrests. Ah yes, let's not forget the push button gear selector.
There are headrests in that car, they are just pushed all the way down. You can pull them up pretty far.
Thanks, I thought there was no reason for that car not to have them. Thanks again for the heads up.
Mandated by federal law since,.. '70? '72 maybe. I know that by 72 all cars had them. Maybe '69, think of the Mustangs. The '66 certainly didn't have them, as they interfered with the convertible's perfect lines. The '67 & '68, I don't think so. In '69 they started screwing up the Mustang and if it had headrests nobody noticed. They were options for a few years before the mandate, or, it took them a while to phase them in, and they sold it as a new safety feature. Same thing right?
I’ve had about 10 Eldorado coupes and convertibles. They’re addicting; every time I sell one I get the urge to buy another one. They give the nicest ride of any car in my opinion.
This car made getting road head much more comfortable.
Nothing against grosser Mercedes 600 back then
Ohhh yeah. Drunk heading
U ain't gay if you close your eyes and let the road head begin. Give it a try. You'll see.
This Cadillac were like Mercedes benz S-class coupe back to 70s.
Set the CC and let go of the wheel, this beast would drive itself while you moved past road head and scored from second base all while remaining in the massive front seat.
Hey Doug, I think you missed quite a few ‘quirks and features’:
-there are Cadillac wreaths on all the knobs (radio, headlight and the ones on the cigarette lighters were an especially cool touch IMO)
-the knobs were chrome plated metal with gold-colored wreaths and they had a ‘weighty’ quality feel to them that differed noticeably from plastic knobs
-8-track tape player that was hidden behind the radio dial - push the cassette at the dial and the dial would flip up out of the way
-cabin temperature was controlled by a rotary dial
-cabin temperature was thermostatically controlled - you set it to a temperature, not just to some position between ‘Hot’ and ‘Cold’
-built-in arm rests in the front seats
-there were 2 red brake light indicators located in the rear window frame that could be seen when looking in the rear view mirror
-idiot lights and gas gauge located in a blacked-out strip located I n the dash above the speedo
-telescoping steering wheel column controlled by a knob on the steer wheel hub
-flat floor due to FWD powertrain - the earlier 500 cid V8 Eldo’s were the largest engine ever used in a FWD automotive application
-the engine was mounted longitudinally - very unusual - FWD Subarus are maybe the only other longitudinally mounted engine in a FWD car
Even though it was a common feature of GM vehicles if the era, this car had hidden windshield wipers that tucked in below the back edge of the hood for a sleek look
Also, before the advent of multi-purpose turn signal stalks, virtually ALL American cars used floor-mounted dimmer switches. I always found them to be quite functional as your left foot wasn’t doing much anyway. It was European cars that introduced turn signal stalk dimmer switches IIRC.
And this car did have headrests - they were adjustable in height but have be pulled up - in the car you reviewed they were in the lowest position
I know my 81 Coupe DeVille had it and I think I saw it on this one as well but it was the knobs on the headlights where you could turn them to adjust the setting of when the high beams would dim when another car was coming
1950’s Citroën traction avants used the longitudinally mounted engine front wheel drive layout too.
yup... missed all of that
My Grandma had a slightly newer cadillac. It's weird for me that your so exctied about car featuees and style that I associate with old tottering Grandmas.
@@JosiahLuscher Yeah, I guess I sounded a little excited but it’s just that I’m familiar enough with those cars to finally call Doug out. You know, the Doug who usually reads the owners manual front to back and scours cars thoroughly to point out their quirks. To me, he clearly mailed this review in because he missed so many details. And I still can’t believe he doesn’t realize cars from this era have headrests.
I have a 65 Continental convertible, and it's a lot like this. Bad handling, braking, slow af, and horribly inefficient. Best car I've ever driven:)
Pro tip if u buy a old Cadilac...Before you do anything to the car... upgrade the brakes, put the biggest and best disc brakes you can, you won't regret it.
I owned a lovely 1974 eldorado and just loved it. You forgot to mention the auto headlights and auto headlight dimmer. And they were actually 18.5ft long. The slogan for this body style was “longer, wider, lower”. My 1974 had the rear fender skirts and I think that was the last year for them as well as the 501 Cadillac big block. Also, if I remember it had rear turn signal monitors top center inside the rear windshield. And one last interesting thing was the radios antenna. When the radio was turned on it would come up only a few inches. If you needed better reception there was a switch to raise it almost 3 ft.
That's the car you drive to from New York to Florida to escape for the winter, with a cigar in hand and a bottle of Scotch in the glove box, listening to The Rat Pack.
Ohhhh Yeahhhh
LOL! Yeah!
lol! funny you say because it looks fairly similar to the car that blew up in the end of Casino
My aunt and her boyfriend vacationed in Florida. He had a big old Cadillac. I wanted to buy it. He told me it was not a good idea to sell to me. I guess the Cadillac had problems... or he didn't want to deal with any problems I might have. Thanks "NOT MY UNCLE"
@@mansgottaeat8879 No, that was an 81 model year, although he did have this exact one in yellow in an other part of the movie
Oh, the memories...back in the late 90's I had a 1978 Eldorado in gun metal grey with light grey leather interior. I loved that car and used it as a daily driver for almost 3 years. Gas mileage be damned. Actually I was able to squeeze out 14 mpg in mine. Just for curiosity I filled the tank and drove it easily and conservatively and was happy to get that 14 especially with Doug saying 9 was average. If I remember right there were 3 horns on the car in different musical notes, I remember my C note horn stopped working and could still get one at the dealer. I really loved that car. It was a joy to drive, nothing ever broke down in over 30,000 miles of driving and SOOO comfortable. I still love that floaty ride. I drive a 2003 Tacoma TRD now and love my truck but I miss my Caddy alot. Regardless of what Doug says the mirrors were just fine and rear visability was not a problem and parking wasn't an issue either as long as you aren't trying to park it in a Prius sized spot. My 5'2" girlfriend at the time now my wife of 20 years could park that car perfectly and without effort. Never had an issue with parking. Not once. And brakes? No issue Doug.
I'm glad he didn't really dog the car as it doesn't deserve a poor review. Anyone who ever had one I would bet will remember it fondly.
Nice story, and wow 14 mpg that pretty amazing for 4000 pounds of v8 powered metal
Tacoma 55 did it turn heads back then?
Jonathan You bet. Just as nice as this white one and didn't have a cracked fender extension. Not a mark on it and zero rust, it was a good looking car and I was proud of it.
I had a friend who picked up his prom date in one of these in 1978. He said the pillow seats and large back seat were wonderful. 7 months later he married that prom date. He musta been telling the truth. Just saying...
I had one only kept it about a year, the millage was just too horrible but it was definatly a joy to own and drive. and your right for such a huge vehicle parking etc was cake I've driven vehicles half the size that are twice as hard to park.
I love how amused you are by things in old cars that were standard fare in the 70's...landau roof, opera lighting, floor mounted high beams, fender mounted signal indicators etc. Its entertaining :)
Read my mind
I would bet this guy drives a Tesla and drinks soy latte's
The fender light indicators were fiber optic so you knew if you had a light that was out. He also missed the fiber optic brake light indicators located over the rear dash ( Interior ) When I was 12 tears old my best friends father had a 77 Biaritz Baby blue with baby blue interior and the first car phone that consisted of a big box like unit in the trunk and a house looking phone up front.
he is young.
Super over the top over normal features for that time.
My grandpa used to drive me to kindergarten in 1991 in this car. What I remember most were the pillowed seats I'd completely sink into when I was 5 years old, getting into the back of the car. That and in the early morning when it wasn't bright out, it had lights everywhere around the doors, it was really well lit trying to get into the car. Lights nn the doors themselves, inside and outside on the B pillars. Also in the afternoon after school I remember trying to take that hood ornament off when I was playing outside and no I couldn't get it off 😆
I remember these cars when I was a kid, and I thought they were just beautiful. My family was middle, middle class, and no way in the world we could afford an El Dorado. My best friend's parents had a Fleetwood Broughm, and you felt like you were riding in a limousine. That was just an amazing period of time that we'll never see again.
Mom & dad were DIVORCED so my dad had a bit more disposable income, Mom drove a used Chevy Nova, a 6 cyl.
Big old Caddys where not made to corner. You did not rate it on what they were made for. Ride quality/ smoothness and features amenities. You could literally drive over the curb in that car and not feel a thing. You could steer it with one finger and the back seat is like whoa.
those seats were more like sofa's! !! #CADDYLICOUS
Enjoyed this video as it brought back memories of my 1976 Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance Cadillac which was a 4 door sedan of similar (if not marginally larger size) and I just wanted to share that (except for the front wheel drive) this car shared the same platform and features with the others in the Cadillac line... My Fleetwood had the 8.2l engine and also self leveling suspension... By the way, Doug did miss the indicator (for the driver) interior mini lights which can be seen as two dots in the center rear part of the headliner above the rear windshield. With the benefit of hindsight I can appreciate those cars much more than I did then... It was a magnificent ride and somehow, inspite of the size, they were not at all difficult to drive. But then most cars as of that era were large, with large engines, relaxed, comfortable...
@@TAMPA234 The 1976 Fleetwood Brougham was actually a longer then the 1977 Eldorado, by a substantial amount. Something like 10 inches longer. Of all the large luxury cars of the 1970's, the Eldorado was the smallest. The Imperial, Chrysler New Yorker, Buick Electra 255, Olds 98, Cadillac DeVille & Fleetwood, Lincoln & Continental were all much larger than an Eldorado.
The dimmer switch on the floor was where they pretty much all were on American cars. It's more convenient than on the turn signal stock. I wish they were still on the floor.
Yes, and they were fun to play with, on long road trips..I used to bang mine going down the road, just to hear that loud, metallic click..click...click !
They started to put it on the steering wheel for handicap people that needed hand controls to drive one less thing to move
that wouldn't work in manual transmission car's unfortunately but it is really awesome
Sorry Trademark but you're mistaken. The highbeam switch was to the left and up on the floorboard, not under the clutch pedal.
@@668547ful You get the award for most erroneous assumption. Dork
My extended family owned numerous late 60s and 70s vintage GMs, including Cadillacs, Buicks, and Chevrolets, and they mostly shared similar controls and features with this Biarritz. I learned to drive on a Buick with nearly identical controls & dashboard layout.
One benefit of the layout in the reviewed Caddy is that controls weren't overloaded - i.e., the turn signal is just for signaling turns. You don't pull on it for brights, or turn a knob on the stalk to work your wipers or to clean the windshield. And my recollection is that the hood ornament could be manipulated not so that it wouldn't be stolen, but so it wouldn't break off in an automatic car wash.
This 1976 model was produced several years into GM's decline, and tellingly it shares the same body with the the newly restyled 1971 Eldorado. 1969 & 1970 were, IMO, the high water mark for GM, and American cars in general. Starting in 1971 every GM saw big power reductions with reduced compression and other emissions controls. And the first oil shock in 1974 had Americans starting to look for more fuel efficient vehicles that Detroit really didn't see a need for, leading to a long slow decline in innovation, quality, and ultimately desirability from American automakers. And as bad as 1970s cars were, American cars in the 1980s were worse!
Modern cars, including American makes, are better in every conceivable measure: tailpipe emissions, fuel economy, handling, braking, acceleration, safety, maintenance intervals, comforts & amenities, conveniences, etc. Also, I get a kick out of people thinking 90s cars are old. And so it goes, I guess? :)
The brights are mounted on the floor so when you’re driving dark windy roads you can turn them off when oncoming traffic passes without taking your hands of the wheel.
Had them in my 77 T Bird. In my Nissan today I still instinctively try to press the floor for the brights.
Pretty much all 70s and earlier American cars had the dimmer button on the floor.
i don't think this is a car you drive dark windy roads on. your front end would be going left while the back end was still trying to navigate the previous right.
Michael Lam do your hands stay stationary when you’re turning? No. The stalk does, that describes the point im making.
90% of cars before 80 were that way, still a better.
I love this car, it has that "I worked my ass of for this" presence. Which is different from the "i'm rich" presence.
Truth
Good way of putting it.
ah yes, mindless consumption
@@God-mb8wi Not at all
Yeah, symbolizes the era when american dream did exist.
Doug's showing his age. The Eldo of this vintage was MASSIVELY cool, especially as it was a favorite feature in movies, and was customized often by recording artists and celebrities. Also, depending on region and cultural nuance, the car was an undeniable status symbol. Probably wouldn't change the Doug score, but it has cool points built in. just saying.
"Are you being a wise guy with me?"
CHRIS ANDREOU what do you mean? Lol
Car was not built for whiny nerds of the 2000s. I'd rather have my grandma review this vehicle.
Honestly I really would love one of these and I didn’t grow up in the 70s. Sure, it may be comically massive and underpowered, but the ride and comfort level is amazing, rivaling only that of Rolls-Royce. And considering it’s only a small fraction of the price with a lot less maintenance to pay it’s a pretty good deal.
@@westdakotaofficial7940 if you wanted a land yacht with power, you needed to go back a few years earlier... The big Cadillacs prior to emission controls weren't breaking any records on the track, but they could scoot before emissions standards came along. (don't get me wrong, emissions standards are generally a good thing... but massive slab sided whales with powerful V8s have a certain charm)
That said, the appeal of these cars was the comfort... I briefly owned a 1976 Mercury Grand Maquis in the early 90s... and it was like driving on clouds woven from the hair of angels. Road imperfections were swallowed up long before they reached the driver. You could have run over an entire kindergarten and not realized until you got home and wondered why there were three Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle backpacks stuck in the grill.
My mother had a 78 Eldorado, the heaviest front wheel drive 2 door in history. It was like driving a boat and the seats were like a sofa. You failed to mention those turn signal were early fiber optics. The rear view mirror showed fiber optics that showed if your rear brake lights or turn signals were out. The front indicators were also fiber optics. That car was the best. That car was faster then most in it's day. My cousin used to call it the pimp mobile lol It was triple white just like this one.
I had the exact model for a few years in the 80's. The ride was so comfort and relaxing that you felt like you were cruising in your living room. I liked all the features it had to offer such as all-English labeled controls(no idiotic/unexplained icons), completely open/flat floor, padded seats, padded top , huge trunk etc. I did not need to drive much so MPG was not an issue for me. The only downside with that car was that it did have a lot of quality issues.
The only thing I really disliked about my similarly-shaped '84 Toronado was that the doors could block an entire lane of traffic each when opened all the way. (Well, OK, not really. But it felt that way sometimes. And the '84 model was _smaller_ than the one from the '70s. :)
+Michael Rodriguez. Why do you say that?
What part of the build quality isn't good? Other than the fact it might rust.
Perhaps Lincoln had better build quality in the Mark III and Mark IV?
Icons aren't "idiotic" and they're only "unexplained" if you're incapable of reading and learning. You are the problem.
I worked for a guy who owned a gas station in the late 70's and his wife had one a few yrs older and it had the 8.2=500 cubic inches-- I remember the gas shortages well, that Eldorado was WORTHLESS after the 2nd gas shortage in the late 70's
For the late '70 gas shortage price per gallon was the equivalent of $4/gal regular today 2020! That 500 cu. in. probably required premium. Premium would was also hard to find in that time period because the typical means of razing octane was the use of larger additives of lead, which was being reduced in gasoline. American sold premium unleaded and Sunoco had a high octane mix, which they still do today, both of which would have been a source for premium gasoline, but that's getting too complicated for many of these car's owners.
Just a little FYI. The quirky lights on the fenders facing the driver AND the lights above the back window INSIDE, are actually fiber-optic. In other words, they ONLY illuminate with their associated lamps IF the lamp itself is illuminating. It uses the light produced by each indicator or headlamp to go through the fiber-optic cable to illuminate the indicator lights facing the driver visible on the top of the fenders or in the mirror. I think that feature itself brings the score up a bit!
That would look sweet then if it had LEDs installed so the fiber optics would show in pure bright color and white.
@@brandonpayne7240 that sounds nice but it would defeat the purpose of having fiber optic cables carrying the actual light to verify their operation. If you have a bulb out, the indicator will not illuminate, therefore the driver knows by checking these indicators which bulbs are working and which ones, if any are out.
geta2j
You missed something or maybe I wasn’t clear. Replace the headlights bulbs, turn signals, etc not the indicators with LEDs. The fiber optic would transmit that light and like I said it would be purer color or white.
@@brandonpayne7240 you're right I wasn't reading into what you suggested. That would be cool!
@@brandonpayne7240 no leds on the 70s
Good Job my man! These Cadillac's are still the TRUE Cars you can put: TV antennas, with a Diamond in the Back, With a Sunroof Top: And tilt the seats with a Gangster lean.
I wanted a Hummer H1 which only gets 10 mpg. But now I want a GAS GUZZLING 1970’S CADILLAC THAT ONLY GETS 9 MPG
I want a car that drives on ivory and bald eagles and gets 1mile per eagle and 100lbs of ivory.
Generally speaking, America really knew how to make great looking luxury cars back in the day. As much as I love Mercedes and BMW, these barges made the 7 series and S-Class of the 1970s and 80s look like compact cars by comparison.
Except Mercedes 600 "Grosser" from the same era was half a meter longer and way more expensive.
There is always the one item to remember, old American luxury was built on the foundation of the US Interstate System and the National Highways. We had big wide roads in much of our country and Europe has tiny roads. Some of these old Cads would not fit on some roads in Europe.
@@hollallaa I think Top Gear drove one of those once, it did not fit at all into parts of London. not looks wise, I mean it actually physically didnt fit.
As for size, The European cars HAD to be smaller do to European roads. On style though, continental European cars to me looked dull as cheapo compacts then. Only the Brits made cars I was interested in in the 70's. Even the "nicest" Benz then had the same basic styling excitement of a 1975 Dodge Dart, OK looks for an econobox, Not impressive for "luxury". The Good news, (sorta). There's as much "exciting" styling on a Hyundai as there is on a Bimmer! The bad news is: They are ALL ugly now!
@@hollallaa The 600 should be compared to a Cadillac Series 75 (sedan/limousine), Not the Eldorado! (a "personal" coupe). The 10th generation Series 75 (based on the same B/C/D body as the Eldorado in the video) is 6 inches longer than the LONGEST 600. and 34 inches than the "base" 600. In fact the base 600 is SMALLER then the BUICK Electra 225 and OLDSMOBILE 98 that was based on this Eldorados "B/C/D" body!
I laughed when Doug said that was the first time he'd ever seen the bright headlight switch on the floorboard. Most people have no idea how convenient stuff like this was back in the day
I'm 30 but my first car was a 72 AMC hornet... I was honestly surprised as heck Doug didn't know about floor high beams lol
JC Whitney used to have a bare foot pedal for that dimmer as well
Sorry, I'm still laughing.....
@@scottcarl9206 JC Whitney was the Amazon of it's day, only it was mail order but they carried just about everything. if you wanted one of those bare foot covers for your floor mounted high beam switch, or a "suicide knob" (aka: Brodie knob) which would attach to your steering wheel so you could quickly crank your steering wheel to the extreme left or right in an instant. Indeed, JC Whitney seemed to have it all and was always a great catalog to peruse... lol
EVERY american car had the hi beams switch on the drivers floor. he's just not old enough to remember that in GM products. Even mid 80's CJ7 has it.
“People driving this must have been the most ostentatious, annoying bastards of the 1970s…”
My first boss owned one, and this comment is spot-on! 😂
I worked for a small food company, and the owner would drive up in his Eldorado and back into this special parking space on the side of the building. He couldn’t see the back of the car, so he would park by “feel”…when he felt the car bump into the building, he would stop. We would all be in the kitchen, the wall would shake, and then we would say “Welp….boss is here!”
With an automatic car, your left foot does literally nothing. How on earth does a left foot bright switch not make perfect sense?
Its fuking dark out, the switch is missed today
@robsolf
yes and i believe it was a carry over from the time that cars had starter buttons on the floor...( 1915?-1949? except Ford which was 1920-1950)
I looked it up and first headlights that could be dimmed was 1952 Olds via button on the floor..so the timing would fit my theory...
This is when you realize how young Doug is. Pretty much all American-built cars back then had the bright switch button on the floor. The other thing Doug didn't get was why the Eldorado has all of the plastic on the front and back around the bumpers. It wasn't just stuff to make the car longer. They were federally-mandated shock absorbing bumpers that retracted when you hit something then returned to their normal position. They had to be able to withstand a 5-mph impact with no damage. The plastic (urethane, to be exact) would "give" when the bumper retracted.
@@catlovermarty I agree. The last cars with the floor mounted switch were the Ford F-series and Econoline vans, which had them through 1994, so you could reasonably find them through the mid 2000's!
Its actually a good placement for it.
Go ahead, Doug. Say it... say the word, you know you want to--*PIMPMOBILE, BABY!!!*
You watch Counting Cars, right?
Lol ... Had a 77 Thunderbird which was similar in shape when I was in HS.
Was at the GF's house one day and dad was out washing his Blazer or what ever it was that he had. He had money and had a real nice conversion van, some nice luxury car, and the fore mentioned Blazer or Bronco. Told me to never ask Erica to get the van for a date. At that time in HS I usually spoke before thinking.... said no problem I got a big back seat.
When I was in high school my dad had one of these as a daily driver. I took my driving test in it and had to parallel park it to pass. It was the best car to make out in. Lots of room!
1musicsearcher parallel park it
That's hysterical
A little like parallel parking the titanic
I did my driving test in 1994 in a 1980 Olds Cutlass, which wasn't much better than a Cadillac size-wise. It was freakin' barge with a good 3" of play in the steering wheel before it even started to respond. The headliner had detached and was resting on the driving instructor's head. Definitely an awesome car for dates though because even though it was busted to hell it had huge swank factor and front bench seats. Lowrider and classics enthusiasts would be out in our front yard randomly and offer to buy it all the time.
I forget how young Doug is until he says something like "I've never seen a high beam switch on the floor...". I love listening to Doug because he is so excited about every car he reviews.
I absolutely love vintage Cadillacs! Everything about them is just pure amazingness. And they're truly some of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven. I feel like these cars make you a safer driver too. Although they probably won't do too well in a crash test, when you're driving one, you don't want to speed, or do anything wreckless, you just want to enjoy the car for being comfortable and perfect. The car is so nice that you just want to ride in for as long as possible.
It's also really cool how much analog stuff is in it. If all those features were digital, they'd all be broken by now.
@@manictiger
For sure!
Imagine this engine hood falling on your fingers
That would hurt bad
My dad owns one he almost can’t lift it
After the hood falls: What Fingers?
No worries. The creases are huge too and leave plenty room for your fingers
answear Auch!!
I must be old..I can;t belive he is amazed by the foot operated High Beam switch.
They were absolutely fine (and a couple of inches from your foot, which wasn't doing anything else, anyway) - right up until they got stuck, due to random grit accumulated over time. Then, you'd _maybe_ be able to pry it up with your shoe and use it, but probably wouldn't have the function until you stopped and did so with your hand. Which you probably forgot until the next time you tried to use it. But that was pretty rare so, yes, it was fine.
I'm 23 and amazed he's never seen a foot operated floor switch
@@ianowens5255 I read that and, in the midst of thinking that your statement meant you have been around older vehicles... realized I am currently wearing a piece of clothing that is two years older than you, lol (and that I was a couple of years older than you when I purchased it). RUclips - where generations meet ;-).
I drove a Ford truck from the nineties that had one for a year. Next to the flick with the extra stalk you can do in modern cars I think its about the easiest place to quickly flash or toggle your brights.
I remember the Oldsmobile 98 back in the early 70's that had a floor foot switch to change the radio station..
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. My dad was a VP at Cadillac during this time so I grew up in the company provided cars he always had. Your correct in saying we will never see the likes of this car again. The car I drive now is a loaded '08 Lincoln TC and although it's comfy and quite it can't hold a candle to the old Caddy's. Have to say I did get a chuckle when you said you had never seen a floor mounted high-beam switch. Damn I'm old, LOL.
Doug these were the most gorgeous cars and most reliable when I was in my late teens....if you had a Cadillac...especially an Eldorado or a Fleetwood or a Seville...YOU MADE IT IN LIFE.. !!!!! SO AMERICAN AND SO GREAT. !!!!
Need to do more reviews of Landyachts from the 70s.
Doug hates them. He is an arrogant snob who doesn't understand cars.
You need to wear a white fur coat and flared trousers to drive that.
Victor Shackapopulus looking like Pimp C
Agreed but topped with a hat with a feather..
And a bloodstream full of STDs
Don't forget the swagger cane.
Or a mother so scary you didn't DARE get the white interior of her '76 Monte Carlo dirty.
As I sit here high as the sky... and dying listening to Doug 🤣 😂 with the commentary .. I can't take it🤣 😂 👌
He's a complete NERD
I miss the floor-mounted brights switch. It was easier to use. The fuel cap under the license plate was great, too. It didn't matter how you pulled up to the pump.
Plus, for readers born after about 1980, those two features actually go back quite a way, especially the floor-mounted dimmer button for the headlights. The first car I remember Mom & Dad having was a 1956 Mercury Monterey that they bought used in 1977 when the owner traded for a new model. Had the rear fender skirts, the fuel port was behind the rear license plate, and the key latch for the trunk was behind the Mercury emblem. They kept it until well after I went to college. I learned to drive in a 1960 Fiat sedan that Dad had and generally hated driving the Mercury due to its size and that huge steering wheel. Plus it was huge after the Fiat! Otherwise, lots of memories going to visit grandparents, packing the four of us and our Dachshund mix dog who liked to ride on the rear window shelf and stick her nose out of the front quarter-window while riding in Mom's lap.
but like the 1987 to 1996 ford f-150 those floor mounted high beam switches rust out and are very stiff and dont work so well anymore
It didn't seem strange at all at the time. It was how it was done. Now you do it from the stalk. Whatever.
they had to get rid of the rear gas cap because of the greater risk of gas leaking out in a rear end collision. Also those floor mounted high beam switches were removed because muddy or wet shoes tended to make them rust and fail
The last time I believe that cars had the fuel exit in the license plate was the 91-96 caprice roadmaster and Fleetwoods.
19 feet long...and it's a two door. 'Murica.
IcantSignIn stop saying ‘Murcia. Geez
I didn't. But I could if I wanted to. Because.............wait for it.........."Murica!
The "180 hp" rating was most likely underrated. The 425 engine was rated at a healthy 320 lbs-ft torque. It was a very mildly-tuned engine.
Saud Siddiqui that was mid/late 70s American cars for ya. The govt fucked the car industry so hard
Also, the 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville was a two-door and just as long as the '77 Eldorado. In fact, so was the 1969 Coupe de Ville (both the '59 and '69 were 225" long).
OK, so I guess I'll throw 2 cents into this mess. I see several of you are astonished that he forgot to mention the "quirk" of it being front wheel drive. If he was totally astonished that the high-beam switch was a button on the floor, then the majority of cars he's familiar with are front wheel drive. He may be more astonished to learn that the majority of cars back then were rear wheel drive. The hood indicator "lights" for the turn signals/headlights/highbeams are not lights at all. They're optic leads. Yes, a flexible strand of clear plastic that carries light from the actual light to that hood-mounted indicator so you don't need a 2nd person to check if any of your bulbs are burned out. While we're on that subject, there are two more mounted inside the car... at the top center of the rear windshield to tell you that your taillights are functioning, and they're easily visible when you look into the rearview mirror. (in the video at the 11:30 mark, you can see them... WORKING.) The rubber fender extenders were functional, not poor quality. (Others have commented on this as well.) The power trunk closer... well, if he had opened the glove compartment he would have seen a yellow button in there that opens the trunk from inside the car too. Crazy, I know, even though almost 20 years prior, the 1958 Caddy Eldorado Brougham had two buttons in the glove box, one that opened the trunk, and one that closed it, "no hands" style. The "no headrests" segment made me want to flip a table, yo. (...or something like that.) When he was fiddling with the hood ornament I was reaching for a ruler with which to whack his knuckles. That 40+ year old hood ornament alone would not be easy to replace had it broken off in his hand. (Trust me on this, they aren't cheap, or readily available.) I was impressed, however that he caught the second door handle on the passenger door. What he missed, on that option is that the seat-back latches automatically unlatch when the door opens. Someone who is going to do this type of video on different cars should spend at least 10 minutes on google before they start. Ok, I know my 2 cents turned into about a buck twenty-five, but there ya have it.
Oh, I forgot about the gas filler being behind the license plate. I'm pulling up to the gas pumps and... which side do I need to go to? Oh, that's right... IT DOESN'T MATTER. That little light behind the side window is called an opera light. Yes, it was a thing back then. Many stretch limousines have them to this day. Cornering lights have been around forever. Car horns: today= 1 note, or basically a buzzer. Back then, most were 2 notes, and they were actually tuned to a musical note, because you could buy replacement horns and designate which note you needed. That barge horn you're hearing on these cars is 3 notes... or, basically, a Chord. And since we're talking about music, he didn't even notice that the car has a factory 8-track player in the radio. I'm sure that he's never even heard of an 8-track tape, so we'll move on. He never mentioned the tilt-steering wheel, so again, I'm sure he has no idea that it's also telescopic. (I couldn't tell for sure on the telescopic, but I would love to see him try to figure out where the release/lock for that is.) Now I guess I'm up to about a buck seventy-five. Gonna shut up before I go broke. LOL
Oh... When automatic car washes became popular (the kind your car goes through on a track with those huge spinning brushes), the old cars with hood ornaments would occasionally come out the other end of the car wash nice and clean, minus a hood ornament. The Spring-mounted hood ornament was to make sure it was still there after a trip through a car-wash.
Jim Holmes I bought my first 72 Eldorado and there was nothing as quirky as he makes it seem. But yeah...FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
The 8-track player is kind of hidden, you wouldn't know it was there unless someone showed it to you, I'm just disappointed he didn't talk about the telescoping antenna that would come out of the car when you turned the radio on. Also, the switch is just to the right of the steering wheel. Probably not working any longer.
JIm, great set of details. As the past owner of 73, and 77 Coupe DeVille's and well as many European and Asian cars since it's hard looking back to realize how advanced the Caddy was. He isn't aware that the added length front and back came in 1973 when the caddy picked up 5mph bumpers, and they were added to existing body designs. At least that Eldo has flexible rubber my 77 had a hard plastic that cracked and became brittle and was hard to get replacements for.
I love how Doug emphases how the Caddy truly drives like a boat where modern day cars really don't fit this profile. Uh, right, this is the very type of car where the term came from! I remember sitting in cars like this as a kid, when they were new, and feeling like I was in a boat as the driver gleefully boasted, "See how it just drifts so smoothly?"
I was a parking attendant in Manhattan in the early 2000s and one of the customers actually had 3 of these, in PRISTINE vintage condition! Hell, they're probably still there right now.
If he did a lot of electrical work. late 70s Caddys are one giant electrical problem.
Shoot, how was that thing to park 😂
The hood-mounted light indicators are fiber optics: When bulbs burned out, the respective indicator would not light.
Smart!
The one in the interior over the rear window for the rears is fiber also. Looked like two neon bulbs in there. I used to marvel at it as a kid riding in the back of my old man's De Ville at night. Well because there were no phones or tablets then.
I met an old man back in the 90s, who claimed that he created the fiber optics program at GM. I have no idea if he was full of it, but who would make that up? Your comment got me remembering that old convo.
sylkelster that's awesome I thought the same thing when I saw this same type of device on the ceiling of my grandfather's 79 Lincoln Continental Mark 5 it also had the indicator lights way out on the front fenders that this caddy has. I was always so intrigued by that little box in the ceiling and I'd watch it as you would drive seeing the brakes and turning indicated
Ditto for me! God I loved those things! My dad had a '73 Sedan DeVille.
I want this so bad, the screams 80’s Mexican Drug Lord
Reminds me the car the killer pimp drove while chasing Tom cruise in a Porsche 928 in Risky Business
I would have thought any situation where a rich stereotypically Texan boomer has to drive up.
brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR *RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*
@Stormy D. ??
Or just NYC pimp (during NYC's dark age in the '70s and '80s).
my family had one when i was getting my learner's permit (not this exact kind but super similar). we inherited it when my grandmother died and she was one of those old-money southern (georgia) ladies. it really WAS a comfortable car that you could spread out in on long drives. ac blasted cold air and the suspension made you feel like you were riding on clouds. i got to use it as a daily driver for a while in the 90s and i loved it. keep in mind this was the era where getting these things and putting hydraulics on them so they could bounce around was the coolest thing in the world lol. the v8 engine sounded nice but it was such a gas-guzzler that it ended up wasting away under a tarp for years.. sold to a salvage place for a grand i think. i kinda miss that car and this video gave me a spike of nostalgia
the 1977 Eldorado is like Fat Elvis. The 1967 Eldorado is an entirely different story. One of the most beautiful coupes ever made.
Headrests were standard in 1969 - 8 years before the car Doug is driving. The fender indicators were a great idea - and were one of the first uses of fiber optics in automobiles. The "cornering lights" he mocks were a popular luxury accessory because hedlight were on the front of the car - not the entire front fender to the front axle like today. And Doug - no one bought an Eldorado to seat 6.
I like your review. However, I feel compelled to correct you on a couple of topics.
The hood ornament wasn't designed to be kept from being stolen. It was a safety feature to keep you from stabbing or inflicting serious injury to a pedestrian if you hit one.The exterior lights outside the car near the rear window were called "coach lights". They were common on luxury cars like Cadillac, Lincoln, and Mercury. They may have even been on other manufacturers.Anyway, I enjoyed the review.
Also, the light indicators were fiber optic to let you know physically that they were working and not burned out.
The light on the side in the front near the side indicators were so people saw you comming around the corner as you'll notice the small amount it would illuminate isn't observible from inside the car, if you can't see around a corner (becouse of the 2 yard long hood) they'll let people know you're comming.
My "75 Continental had 'em too for the same reason.
I owned a couple of these cars in the past, including the 77 Biarritz. It does indeed have telescoping head rests in both front seats. Also it has rear lamp indicators over the rear window so you could see your rear turn signals, brake lights and rear markers in the rearview mirror. As for handling you must have had a poorly maintained one because that was the most comfortable car to drive and steer. I am 6'4" and I never had a problem sitting in that car. Oh and yes, I did have to replace the hood ornament about half a dozen times due to theft. Just pull up and POP!
as someone who loves this car and wanting to purchase one are there good daily cars to enjoy with friends?
You didn't drive a Caddy, you guided it.
The same was true of the Galaxie/LTD from about that time.
I drove a Volkswagen caddy if it's what you means
So true! I drove a Caddy for the first time in 1976, I was overwhelmed by the soft steering and suspension. Guiding it is the best descriptive.
I had a '76 Eldorado, exactly like this one. Your statement is 100% TRUE.
I had both a 73 and a 78 Eldo. The 73 was by far the better of the two. The front wheel drive with the 501c.i. engine was a monster in the snow, but both were a challenge to parallel park. The auto-dimmer was a hoot on the highway, too...off...on...off...on... ;-))
This car was way ahead of it's time. It deserves a badge of honor for that. Thermometer, turn signal, lights, and brights indicator, stuff that nowadays you can all just see on your smart screen radio. Also with the addition of a trunk that can technically close itself... This car deserves a badge of honor.
hilarious
A trunk that's actually usable. Todays pop cans can barely hold one small suitcase. Have to rent a uhaul trailer if you want to travel anywhere. Or fedex your stuff a week in advance.
No emergency escape latches in the trunks back then. They needed to appeal to mobsters, LOL!
Doug's lack of knowledge about relatively recent automotive history is disappointing. ALL vehicles up to a certain point had a floor-mounted switch for high beam headlights. Most hood ornaments, from Mercedes to Cadillac to a generic Plymouth had a mount that would allow it to bend. Less dangerous to pedestrians, less likely to get bent out of shape--and nothing to do with making it harder to steal. Thieves could just pull up on it to stretch the spring mount and then snip it off. Those WERE the ones that were being stolen. The light on the side of the roof is just fancy Cadillac decoration. Interesting that he didn't mention some of the things that are unusual by modern standards like the half vinyl roof or the paint-matched wheel covers.
OMG. Doug. The Mercedes S Class of its day was the Mercedes S Class. M-B was very much a respected luxury brand in 1977. Cadillac was already very much feeling the heat from the German makers well before '77. Please stick to reviewing interesting modern cars, or do your homework before you just spout things that come to you mind that don't add anything but annoying inaccuracy to your videos.
Wait until he drives a car where the starter switch is on the floor or a manuel collum shift......weird!
Eric, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes... and probably more yes's. He (Doug) is charming and sometimes humorous in his own way, but he is totally clueless about features on cars of that (and previous) eras.
Eric L Eric L yes, the S Class had already existed by that time, but it wasn’t much popular in the US compared to GM vehicles. And in 70s American land yachts still remained the sign of luxury while German cars weren’t on the public heat
I agree. Floor switches, opera lights and remote side mirrors were very common. I can't understand how a car guy thinks these things are unusual
@@lordstallion3150 Point taken. I meant that the MB S-Class existed in 1977, because it sounded like he was saying it didn't. But in Jan 2018 Doug published an article ranking the S Class models so he presumably learned that they were around in '77. Your comment prompted some research and I found an interesting read from July 1977 Car & Driver (by David E. Davis, Jr.) that mentions the '77 Mercedes really wasn't all that luxurious so in the end you're spot-on with regard to luxury cars. Thanks!
"That does not necessarily make it the best car in the world; not even the most luxurious. We have to call anything that has wheels and seats and a price of $40,000 a luxury car, but this Mercedes doesn’t offer a great deal of luxury for that kind of money. "
I had a 1975 Eldorado convertible when I graduated high school and went to college. So I know this car well and for its time it was king of the road. Today it would be a great car to travel for a few hours on the interstate between cities when you wanted a different experience and could not afford a Rolls Royce. It deserves a higher score! 😎
In '86, i bought a '76 Eldorado... coolest car i've ever owned. Back then, it was costing me $125/week to drive to my $8.50/hr. job(~35 miles each way)! LMAO. Everyone loved it though.. when i pulled up, they would say "the Dr. is here"(i was only 21).
It had the 8.2L (501 c.i.d.) in it; i could beat most newer cars in a 1/4 mile drag,(keeping in mind, this was '86) and after that...i was gone (and could roast the front tires), and it would hit ~130 mph! It was sooo far ahead of it's time.. FWD, 4-wheel disk brakes, twilight-sentinel lighting, (no hump in the middle of the car due to FWD, i could sleep on the floor under the dash in front of the seats) rear air shocks, etc. etc. etc.
It was built like a tank. My buddy and i were out bombing around in the local forest trails, one night.. he was in his '77 Ford LTD (another big boat), and he hit the brakes suddenly. I was too close behind, and hit him at around 15 mph. It bent his rear bumper under, and didn't even scratch the bumper on mine (any new car now would have sustained huge damage.. probably $5000 or more).
Ahhh.. the good ol' days...at least i think they were good, from what i can remember!! ;)
How many miles did you manage to put into it?
Awesome. I had the same car! Thankfully I was able to car pool and only had to drive it 1 week a month to me $5.40 an hour job.
1Tanker Why can't we go back to these cars, we make shit now, why don't we just make old 70s cars but new, I would love an old coupe deville as a millenial
8:10...the side light on the vinyl top....these were called "Opera Lamps" because they were next to the "Opera Window" ....
WHAT? A car guy has never seen bright switches on the floor? Pretty much EVERY American car had them through the '70s and many into the '80s.
The hood ornament did that to keep it from breaking... not "impossible to steal," in fact quite easy... just yank really hard!
Says BMW made "crappy little cars" then shows an E21 I'd LOVE to have.
Says the car doesn't have headrests... literally has a headrest behind his head (it's a crappy one, but it does raise and was there to keep you from snapping your neck)
Doesn't mention front wheel drive setup at all.
Love this guy's videos, but he slipped a bit on this one.
I thought the same thing!
I wish they'd put them back on the floor. It makes more sense there.
this guy is a clown.
I know! My mom has a '70 cougar with brights on the floor AND the fuel behind the license plate 🙄
I think he's young (under 30), so these classic cars probably just mystify him.
Great video. The first car I owned had a left-foot-controlled bright switch and I loved it. You didn't have to take your hands off the steering wheel and mess with some flimsy switch. I have often thought that manufacturers should go back to that.
If Cadillac would bring this style back like Dodge did some of their old cars? It would sell like hot cakes all day! Cadillac missed the boat.
You're right about that. This car has style. The engine can be upgraded to have a lot more power. Would really like to have one of these sitting in my driveway. Knew a guy when I was in the military who had one of these. Knew another who had a Lincoln Continental Mark IV. Two very classy cars.
Bullshit. Only an asshole would drive this garbage.
Agreed, they turned the Cadillac brand into something boring and unoriginal
Which is why they now canceling the ct6
I must be old because this is a perfectly normal trip down memory lane. 👏 thanks Doug
I agree. I remember the 1977 Eldorados when they were new. I loved them then and still do.
Pretty sure the hood ornament flexibility was a safety feature so the person you hit doesn't get gutted like a fish.
Will yeah that's what they were made to do. Doug doesn't know shit.
Glad someone agrees. I heard about this doochebag Doug from watching other RUclips videos (like SaabKyle04). The guy doesn't know shit about cars and looks like he should be working in a toy factory.
Recklessly Arrogant probably both
it is so the older automatic car wash won't break it
Heard it was to avoid breaking if a bird hit it while driving.
Thanks for the memories. I have owned over 200 cars in my life. Many were what some would consider dream cars. I will always have fond memories of my 1976 Eldorado with the rare EFI 500 engine. It looked just like that car. I have to say that was the most comfortable car I have ever driven. It also got an incredible 16 mpg with that EFI engine. Other Eldorado's I've owned, a 1970 and 1974 only got about 10 mpg. That's one car that I probably should not have sold...
I'd never let Doug manhandle the hood ornament like that on my classic car! wtf Doug!
Or let him squeeze the hell out of that rubber filler piece. Being that old, they usually crumble to pieces if you look at them the wrong way.
@@hey_buddy_waz_up He was squeezing that piece to show how absurd it is. Like the thing weighs a ton already, why couldn't they just use an all metal piece?
The hood ornament wasn’t spring loaded to keep it from being stolen. It was so if you happened to hit a pedestrian, it wouldn’t rip their guts open.
Yea that’d make more sense, because you could still easily twist or yank that shit off.
I remember having cars with those spring loaded hood ornaments and they definitely weren't luxury. An older Chrysler? I think it was pretty common.
COMPLAINT! A 0-to-60 time under 10 seconds, back then, qualified it as a "sports" or at least "Performance" car, and it's Front Wheel Drive gave it handling characteristics that surpassed other full sized cars of their time.
Not all Cadillac's are front wheel driven.
@@mackpenn Huh? That doesn't make sense! The review wasn't on other Cadillacs, it was on this one. And this one is front wheel drive. They reviewed a front wheel drive cadillac and I pointed out how it's front wheel drive gave it better handling characteristics than most of it's competition.
@steve crawford You're right, it's not terrible even now! But, back in it's day it was considered "Fast." A 1977 Porsche 911 S had a 0-60 time of 8.4 seconds but weighed HALF AS MUCH!
Eh, doug seems pretty tough on his acceleration scores. His benchmark is against performance modern cars so it really does take quite a fast car to get a good score in his book. He compares ALL cars reviewed to modern standards so even if something was "good for the time" it doesn't make a difference.
Here in Brazil, 10 seconds is very good for most cars, since our market are fully loaded by 3 to 4 cylinders with 70-80 hp... 8s here are already in the ''sport'' category.
Crazy to think about Indian cars being a lot slower and how our perception changes.
Think about an Challenger Hellcat... An ''family SEDAN'' with more than 700 hp... How cool is this?
Most markets dont think sedans as an fast car.